Actor Tony Curtis Dies

Cover of The Defiant Ones

Oscar-nominated actor Tony Curtis died at age 85 Wednesday evening of cardiac arrest at his home in the Las Vegas-area city of Henderson, Clark County Coroner Mike Murphy said Thursday.

In 1958, "The Defiant Ones" brought him an Academy Award nomination as best actor for his portrayal of a white racist who escaped from prison handcuffed to a black man, Sidney Poitier. The following year, he donned women's clothing and sparred with Marilyn Monroe in one of the most acclaimed film comedies ever, Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot."



His first wife was actress Janet Leigh of "Psycho" fame; actress Jamie Lee Curtis is their daughter.

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