Tony Curtis was an American actor who appeared in over 100 films. He was born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, in the Bronx, New York. He began his acting career in the late 1940s and rose to fame in the 1950s, starring in films such as “Houdini,” “Sweet Smell of Success,” and “Some Like It Hot.”
Curtis appeared in a wide range of films, from comedies and dramas to action and adventure movies. Some of his most famous films include “The Defiant Ones” (1958), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and “Spartacus” (1960), in which he starred alongside Kirk Douglas. He also appeared in several popular television shows, including “The Persuaders!” with Roger Moore and “Vegas” with Michael Chiklis.
In addition to his acting career, Curtis was also known for his personal life. He was married six times, including to actresses Janet Leigh and Christine Kaufmann. He had six children, including actors Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis. Curtis struggled with addiction and financial issues throughout his life, but he continued to work as an actor until he died in 2010.
The Tony Curtis Mural in Los Angeles
| Artist | George Sportelli |
| Address | 1717 N Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 9028. |
| Size: | n/a |
| Medium: | Acrylic |
| Date: | 2011 |
| Type: | Portrait |
| Source: | themcla.org |
Street View of the Tony Curtis Mural in Los Angeles
The Origin of the Tony Curtis Mural
In 1965, Tony Curtis was animated in an episode of The Flintstones; he also voiced his character Stoney Curtis. In 1994, a mural featuring his likeness, painted by the artist George Sportelli, was unveiled on the Sunset Boulevard overpass of the Hollywood Freeway Highway 101 in Los Angeles.
The mural was relocated to Hollywood Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in September 2011.
Tony Curtis’ wife, Jill, sponsored the replica mural on Bronson Ave. and an additional replica, with pieces of the original incorporated, at the family Shiloh Horse Rescue facility outside of Las Vegas.
