Thursday, 30 September 2010

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Legendary Hollywood film star Tony Curtis dies

Jamie Lee Curtis's dad Tony dies in his Nevada home, aged 85

Tony Curtis has passed away

One of the most iconic actors of 1950s Hollywood, Tony Curtis, has died at home age 85.

The New York-born actor - dad to Jamie Lee Curtis - was best known for his role as a cross-dressing musician in Some Like It Hot, which he starred in alongside Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon in 1959.

The same year Tony also found recognition in the The Defiant Ones, with Sidney Poitier, for which he gained an Oscar nomination.

After becoming an instant screen idol, known for his good looks and sex appeal, Tony married six times and once claimed: 'I wouldn't be seen dead with a woman old enough to be my wife.'

During a decline in his Hollywood career, Tony became addicted to both cocaine and alcohol, battling to stay clean and get new roles. 

As his acting career dwindled, he turned to painting and found relative success in the art world, before also opening a horse sanctuary on the California-Nevada border.

In 2006, Tony nearly died after contracting pneumonia and was in a coma for several days.

After this, he was confined to a wheelchair and continued to suffer ill health until his death at 12am today. 

Alanna Freeman