Thursday, September 30, 2010

A Boy From The Bronx

Bernie Schwartz, a boy from the Bronx who became Tony Curtis, died yesterday at the age of 85.

my favorite photo

Tony had a rough start in life. You can read a bit about that HERE

After serving in the Navy during WWII …

The service meant so much to me. You don't know privileged I feel and how lucky I am to have served.

… Tony used his GI Bill money to attend drama school.

And so began a career that spanned five decades. The LIST of films and TV shows that he appeared in is incredibly impressive.



I suppose he is best known for ‘Some Like It Hot’ or ‘Spartacus’ but my favorite Tony Curtis movie is ‘The Rat Race’. Filmed in 1960 and co-starring Debbie Reynolds Tony played a young man trying to make it as a musician in NYC. He and Debbie’s character reach out to each other for support. He was so sweet and tender and endearing in that film.


I have always seen him that way.

I want the public to know that it will be an honor for me to meet them and spend a few special moments with all those who helped me through my film career.

Tony was also an accomplished painter. You can view a slideshow of his work at his ONLINE GALLERY

In 2009 Tony and his wife Jill made a documentary about their work rescuing horses from abusive owners and slaughterhouses – SHILOH HORSE RESCUE

Many of the articles reporting Tony’s death refer to him as ‘the last of the matinee idols’ and while that may be true, to me he was so much more.

Peaceful Journey Bernie

26 comments:

ellen abbott said...

He was one of my favorites.

Ron said...

Awesome tribute, Dianne!

Faaaabulous photos you've chosen. What a handsome man he was.

I was so saddened to hear of his passing.

Although I enjoyed his acting in many films, I never knew much about him personally, until I saw the documentary "The Celluloid Closet", in which he spoke so openly and honestly about the movie industry and it's oppression of showing homosexuality in films (back then). He spoke of his role, portraying a female in "Some Like It Hot", and I was so delighted to hear his feelings on sexuality.

"He was so sweet and tender and endearing in that film."

That's exactly the same feeling I got about him in real-life.

Peaceful journey, Bernie.

Thanks for sharing, dear lady!

X

Sylvia K said...

Another blogger -- a guy here in Seattle did a post tribute to him today as well. He was always a favorite of mine. Thanks to your post, I learned a lot more about him in his later years and he was indeed so much more than a matinee idol! Thanks as always for a great post! Hope you have a great weekend, Dianne. Give Hope a hug for me!

Sylvia

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Thanks for your post. It reminded me that I had a Tony Curtis Story to tell and had forgotten that I was going to post it. When I read (and linked to) yours I decided to tell mine. Have a great week-end. Hugs, j

CrystalChick said...

Nice tribute, Dianne! I like all the photos too.

Scott Oglesby said...

He was a true legend Dianne! One of those larger than life personas that will never be replaced. RIP

Anonymous said...

Nice tribute.

Arkansas Patti said...

Lovely post about a truly gorgeous man who could also act.
I will look for that documentary.

Schmoop said...

Tony was da man. Loved the dude. Cheers Di!!

Akelamalu said...

Wasn't he just beautiful? Such a fantastic actor - my favourite film of his was Some Like It Hot.

Jay said...

Love Tony Curtis. He's a throwback to the glory days of Hollywood. Back when the movie starts were actually people of substance.

I'm sure TCM will do a Tony Curtis Day to honor him. Can't wait!

Daryl said...

Lovely ...

Dianne said...

ellen - I believe he was a favorite to so many :)

ron - he did a GQ interview last year and talked about sexuality and lifestyles and freedom and judgement - he was so articulate and kind and wise
at one point in the interview he spoke what he wanted to be doing at 90 and that made me cry

sylvia - I'm glad you learned something new about him :)
he had so many facets to his talent

jay s - thanks for linking :)
I'll be over to read your story, you tell them so well
hugs right back at ya

crystal chick - thanks :)
there are so many wonderful photos of him to chose from

scott - larger than life is exactly it
thanks :)

rob - thanks kiddo

patti - the stories on the horse rescue site just rip at my heart, people can be so horrid
but then there are those like Jill Curtis - from the research I did she is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to animal rescue and Tony adored her for it

matt-man - dey make em good in da Bronx :)

akelamalu - he was beautiful! and Some Like It Hot is an incredible film

jay - I will look for that on TCM, I love old movies
and you're right about substance, these days any moron can become a "star"

daryl - thanks lady :)

Linda said...

That had to be some of the best use of GI Bill money ever! I always liked Tony Curtis even though I have never ever seen "Some Like It Hot" ... maybe one of these days I'll see if Netflix has it in their repertoire.

They don't make actors/actresses like they used to as any fool it seems can be a "star" these days. Tony Curtis truly was a star.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Class act

Excellent actor

Good man

christopher said...

Very well said.

And great pictures too.

Hilary said...

A lovely tribute, Dianne.

Cloudia said...

Always loved the man - even met him once!



Aloha from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

OldLady Of The Hills said...

One of my favorite performances of his was in "The Sweet Smell Of Success". He was superb in that film....It is a very good film, too!
I certainly appreciated his work as an actor, but I had some problems with him as a person. May he Rest In Peace.

Linda Reeder said...

Great tribute. He was loved by many.

nitebyrd said...

What a great and lovely tribute post! I've seen some of his paintings and marvel at what a wonderful artist he was.

Grayquill said...

Scrolling down, scrolling down, scrolling down...oh finally I am here. I guess commenting on your blog is like trying to get home from down town Seattle during rush hour. I just got to be patient.
Tony...Seemed like a nice enough fella, I didn't really know him personally but I did see a few of his movies. Yip saw Spartacus.

Reb said...

Good post Dianne. He was so handsome and talented and I always thought he would be a genuinely nice guy in person too. Now I want to adopt a horse, I'll just keep it in the back yard of the apartment complex here ;)

Frank Baron said...

Amazing how we feel we truly come to know some of those celluloid folks, isn't it?

Not many of the oldsters left. Which kinda makes me feel...un-young.

Sigh.

Splendid Little Stars said...

lovely tribute!

Mare said...

Loved your post. Another star in the sky.