Estate Planning

Tony Curtis Dies at 85

By Hull and Hull LLP

A Hollywood legend died last week at the age of 85. He was known for his roles in Hollywood classics, including Some like it Hot and The Smell of Success. Although he did not act extensively in his later years, he was Oscar Nominated in 1958 for his role in The Defiant Ones. 

Curtis truly lived the American Dream. He was born Bernard Schwartz in 1926 in New York City, to Jewish Hungarian immigrants. He was the oldest of three sons. He enlisted in the US Navy at only 17 years old and after leaving the service he actively pursued an acting career. Shortly thereafter, at age 23 be was under contract by Universal Studios for $75 dollars (U.S.) a week. 

Throughout his career he was involved in over 60 films and worked in television. He led the film industry in insisting on taking a percentage when this wasn't a common practice. He did so on apparently 34 movies, and late in his life acknowledged that he made $2.5 million on Some Like It Hot alone.

Curtis' fame went beyond his acting. He was married 6 times, most notably to Janet Leigh (of Psycho fame) for 11 years, a marriage which produced famous actress, Jamie Lee Curtis.  

A story like his doesn't happen every day and thus Curtis' legacy will be forever remembered. 

Until Tomorrow,

Nadia Harasymowycz

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on October 04, 2010 (boomark / email).