Trivia

He was a militant anti-smoker, having been a heavy smoker himself for about 30 years. Both Sir Michael Caine and Sir Roger Moore credited Curtis with helping them quit smoking cigarettes in the early 1970s, though not cigars.

Broke a Hollywood taboo in the 1950s by insisting that an African-American actor, Sidney Poitier, have co-starring billing next to him in the movie The Defiant Ones (1958).

From the deck of his submarine tender in Tokyo Bay, using a pair of binoculars, he witnessed the Japanese surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri, about a mile away. He considered this experience to be one of the highlights of his life.

Claimed he probably had a sexual addiction. Among his female conquests boasted of in his 2008 memoir was a pre-star Marilyn Monroe who was a very young, pony-tailed redhead during their teenage affair.

Father of Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis (with Janet Leigh).

In his 80s he spent most of his time painting. Some of his works are a part of a permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

He was buried with some of his favorite possessions--a Stetson hat, an Armani scarf, driving gloves, an iPhone and a copy of his favorite novel, "Anthony Adverse," a book that inspired his celebrity name.

Elvis Presley copied his duck-tail hairstyle after seeing it on screen.

His favorite movie star was Cary Grant.

Recovered from cocaine addiction in the 1980s.

Although his effort might have been lost on audiences that could not tell his native Bronx accent from a Boston accent, when he played the title role in The Boston Strangler (1968), he labored to achieve an authentic local accent.

Since re-dubbing the bath scene in Spartacus (1960) in which he starred with Laurence Olivier, Curtis has said that whenever he encounters Anthony Hopkins (who did the voiceover for Olivier in the re-dubbed version following Olivier's death), he hollers, "Oh Tony . . . it's Antoninus".

Serving with F-Troop (1965)'s Larry Storch in the U.S. Navy from 1942-45 aboard a submarine tender, he witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from a vantage point 300 yards away. He and Storch have had a lifelong friendship. They appeared together in The Great Race (1965). Storch also co-starred as his roommate/assistant in 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962).

Enjoyed playing the flute for pleasure and relaxation. He was a very accomplished player.

He has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Winchester '73 (1950), Sweet Smell of Success (1957), Some Like It Hot (1959), Spartacus (1960) and Rosemary's Baby (1968).

Like many before and after, he changed his name--from Bernard Schwartz--partly in response to the anti-Semitism that was prevalent in the country and in Hollywood when he was first starting out.

Admitted that he was largely estranged from all six of his children, including Jamie Lee Curtis, one of his children by first wife Janet Leigh.

According to his autobiography, he really desired the lead male role of Paul Varjack in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). Director Blake Edwards considered the idea, but the role eventually went to George Peppard.

Lived out his life in Henderson, NV, where he owned a sprawling home perched along Revere Golf Course with a view of the Las Vegas skyline.

His sixth wife, Jill Vandenberg Curtis (since 1998), who was 46 years younger than him, runs a wild-horse refuge.

Nearly died in hospital from pneumonia at Christmas 2006.

Joined the Pacific Submarine Force during World War II after watching his favorite film star, Cary Grant, in Destination Tokyo (1943). Curtis would later team up with Grant to play naval officers serving together on a WW2 submarine in Operation Petticoat (1959).

He disinherited all of his children from his will and left the bulk of his estate to his wife Jill Vandenberg Curtis.

In his 2008 autobiography "American Prince: A Memoir" he accused many people he worked with of holding anti-Semitic views.

Enjoyed painting and creating shadow boxes. In late 2005 New York City's Museum of Modern Art acquired one of his canvasses for its permanent collection.

Was the inspiration for and voiced the character Stoney Curtis on an episode of The Flintstones (1960), along with Ann-Margret as Ann Marg-rock.

His brother Julius died after being hit by a truck (1938).

Claimed that his schizophrenic mother was physically abusive and that his father was impassive.

Appeared in tourism advertisements for his ancestral homeland Hungary.

Suffered from a fear of flying.

Had 3 years of treatment at the Betty Ford clinic for drink and drugs.

Father of Nicholas Curtis and Benjamin Curtis (with Leslie Curtis). Nicholas died of seizures on July 2, 1994, due to an overdose of heroin.

Suffered from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in his last years.

Appeared in "Sugar", a stage musical based on Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot (1959) . He appeared as millionaire Osgood Fielding III, the character played by Joe E. Brown in the film.

At 14 he was a soprano in a choir.

He had heart bypass surgery in April 1994.

Father of two sons, with Leslie Curtis: Nicholas Curtis (deceased) and Benjamin Curtis.

Got the part in The Great Race (1965) when Charlton Heston had to turn it down due to production delays on The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965).

Was a liberal Democrat and attended several of the Democratic National Conventions until his death. He was even a frequent White House guest during the Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy Administrations.

In a 2020 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kim Novak claimed that she woke up without any clothes on after Curtis allegedly spiked her drink at a party.

Started wearing a toupee when he was in his 40s, and then eventually a full wig. The Mirror Crack'd (1980) is one of the few films he made in later life where he doesn't wear either.

Born to Emanuel Schwartz, a Hungarian tailor who emigrated to the United States, and his wife Helen, he grew up with two brothers, Julius and Robert.

Has stated that Gunga Din (1939) is his favorite film.

Although he played Ernest Borgnine's son in The Vikings (1958), he was only eight years his junior in real life.

Father of Allegra Curtis and Alexandra Curtis (with Christine Kaufmann).

He made a literary cameo in Matt Whyman's debut romantic comedy novel, 'Man or Mouse', in which the main character, Ren, e-mails Curtis with his love-life problems, and finally meets him briefly.

Started a new career as an artist and had his first solo exhibition in Hawaii in mid 1987 earning him over a million dollars.

He and Jill had planned on moving to Shiloh Horse Rescue and sanctuary, which they founded near Sandy Valley, but Tony's health problems prevented this.

Met Julie Adams and Piper Laurie, when the three were all under contract with Universal in 1949.

Was originally considered for one of the leading roles of Lady L (1965).