Jump to content

Jamie Lee Curtis: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Reverted edits by 71.16.78.252 to last revision by Fenrisulfr (HG)
Fikusfail (talk | contribs)
m Fixed pronouns.
Line 13: Line 13:
:''Not to be confused with [[Jamie Curtis]].''
:''Not to be confused with [[Jamie Curtis]].''


'''Jamie Lee Curtis''' (born November 22, 1958) is an American [[film]] actress and author of [[children's literature|children's books]]. Although she was initially known as a "[[scream queen]]" because of her starring roles in many horror films early in her career such as ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'', ''[[The Fog]]'', ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]'' and ''[[Terror Train]]'', Curtis has since compiled a body of work that covers many genres. Her 1998 book, ''Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day'', made the best-seller list in ''[[The New York Times]]''. She is married to actor [[Christopher Guest]] ([[Baron Haden-Guest|Lord Haden-Guest]]) and, as the wife of a [[lord]], is titled '''Lady Haden-Guest''', but she chooses not to use the title when in the United States. She is currently the spokeswoman for [[Activia]]. She is also a [[blogger]] for [[The Huffington Post]] online newspaper.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis</ref>
'''Jamie Lee Curtis''' (born November 22, 1958) is an American [[film]] actress and author of [[children's literature|children's books]]. Although it was initially known as a "[[scream queen]]" because of its starring roles in many horror films early in its career such as ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'', ''[[The Fog]]'', ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]'' and ''[[Terror Train]]'', Curtis has since compiled a body of work that covers many genres. Its 1998 book, ''Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day'', made the best-seller list in ''[[The New York Times]]''. It is married to actor [[Christopher Guest]] ([[Baron Haden-Guest|Lord Haden-Guest]]) and, as the wife of a [[lord]], is titled '''Lady Haden-Guest''', but it chooses not to use the title when in the United States. It is currently the spokeswoman for [[Activia]]. It is also a [[blogger]] for [[The Huffington Post]] online newspaper.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Curtis was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], the child of actors [[Tony Curtis]] and [[Janet Leigh]]. Her paternal grandparents were [[Judaism|Jewish]] immigrants from Hungary.<ref>[http://www.rd.com/content/jamie-lee-curtis-interview/1/ Jamie Lee Curtis Interview: Starring as Herself: Embracing Reality | Movie Celebs | Reader's Digest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/old/tonycurtis.3.24.0.htm Every Inch a Star<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Curtis's parents divorced in 1962 and her mother then married Robert Brandt. Curtis has an older sister, [[Kelly Curtis]], who is also an actress, and several half-siblings (all from her father's remarriages), Alexandra, Allegra, Ben, and Nicholas Curtis (who died in 1994 of a [[drug overdose]]). {{fact|date=March 2009}} Curtis attended both Westlake School in Los Angeles and [[Beverly Hills High School]], but graduated from [[Choate Rosemary Hall]]. Returning to [[California]] in 1976, Jamie attended the [[University of the Pacific (United States)|University of the Pacific]] in [[Stockton, California]]. Jamie considered majoring in [[social work]], but left after a semester in order to pursue a career in acting.
Curtis was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], the child of actors [[Tony Curtis]] and [[Janet Leigh]]. Its paternal grandparents were [[Judaism|Jewish]] immigrants from Hungary.<ref>[http://www.rd.com/content/jamie-lee-curtis-interview/1/ Jamie Lee Curtis Interview: Starring as Herself: Embracing Reality | Movie Celebs | Reader's Digest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/old/tonycurtis.3.24.0.htm Every Inch a Star<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Curtis's parents divorced in 1962 and its mother then married Robert Brandt. Curtis has an older sister, [[Kelly Curtis]], who is also an actress, and several half-siblings (all from its father's remarriages), Alexandra, Allegra, Ben, and Nicholas Curtis (who died in 1994 of a [[drug overdose]]). {{fact|date=March 2009}} Curtis attended both Westlake School in Los Angeles and [[Beverly Hills High School]], but graduated from [[Choate Rosemary Hall]]. Returning to [[California]] in 1976, Jamie attended the [[University of the Pacific (United States)|University of the Pacific]] in [[Stockton, California]]. Jamie considered majoring in [[social work]], but left after a semester in order to pursue a career in acting.


== Career ==
== Career ==
=== Film ===
=== Film ===
Curtis's film debut was the [[1978 in film|1978]] horror ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'', playing the role of [[Laurie Strode]], the only central teenage character in the film who is not killed. The film was a major success and was considered the highest grossing [[independent film]] of its time, earning status as a classic horror film. Curtis was subsequently cast in several horror films, garnering her the title of a "[[scream queen]]".
Curtis's film debut was the [[1978 in film|1978]] horror ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'', playing the role of [[Laurie Strode]], the only central teenage character in the film who is not killed. The film was a major success and was considered the highest grossing [[independent film]] of its time, earning status as a classic horror film. Curtis was subsequently cast in several horror films, garnering its the title of a "[[scream queen]]".


Her next film following ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' was the horror film, ''[[The Fog]]'', which was directed by "Halloween" director [[John Carpenter]]. The film opened in February 1980 to mixed reviews but strong box office,<ref name="foggross">{{cite web | title=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/ | work=Box Office Mojo gross tally | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fog.htm | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> further cementing Curtis as a horror film starlet. Her next film, ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]'', was a low-budget Canadian [[slasher film]] released in July 1980. The film, for which she earned a [[Genie Award]] nomination for Best Performance by a Foreign Actress, was similar in style to ''Halloween'', yet received negative reviews which marked it as a disposable entry in the then active "slasher film" genre. That year, Curtis also starred in ''[[Terror Train]]'', which opened in October and met with a negative reaction akin to ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]''. Both films performed only moderately well at the box office.<ref name="promgross">{{cite web | title=http://www.the-numbers.com | work=The Numbers Jamie Lee Curtis grosses | url=http://www.the-numbers.com/people/JLCUR.html | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> Curtis had a similar function in both films - the main character whose friends are murdered, and is practically the only [[protagonist]] to survive. Film [[critic]] [[Roger Ebert]], who had given negative reviews to all three of Curtis' 1980 films, said that Curtis "is to the current horror film glut what [[Christopher Lee]] was to the last one-or [[Boris Karloff]] was in the 1930s".<ref name="ebert">{{cite web | title=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com | work=Roger Ebert review of "Terror Train" | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19801009/REVIEWS/10090301/1023 | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> Curtis later appeared in ''[[Halloween II]]'', ''[[Halloween H20: 20 Years Later]]'' and ''[[Halloween: Resurrection]]'', as well as giving an uncredited voice role in ''[[Halloween III]]''.
Its next film following ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' was the horror film, ''[[The Fog]]'', which was directed by "Halloween" director [[John Carpenter]]. The film opened in February 1980 to mixed reviews but strong box office,<ref name="foggross">{{cite web | title=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/ | work=Box Office Mojo gross tally | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fog.htm | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> further cementing Curtis as a horror film starlet. Its next film, ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]'', was a low-budget Canadian [[slasher film]] released in July 1980. The film, for which it earned a [[Genie Award]] nomination for Best Performance by a Foreign Actress, was similar in style to ''Halloween'', yet received negative reviews which marked it as a disposable entry in the then active "slasher film" genre. That year, Curtis also starred in ''[[Terror Train]]'', which opened in October and met with a negative reaction akin to ''[[Prom Night (1980 film)|Prom Night]]''. Both films performed only moderately well at the box office.<ref name="promgross">{{cite web | title=http://www.the-numbers.com | work=The Numbers Jamie Lee Curtis grosses | url=http://www.the-numbers.com/people/JLCUR.html | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> Curtis had a similar function in both films - the main character whose friends are murdered, and is practically the only [[protagonist]] to survive. Film [[critic]] [[Roger Ebert]], who had given negative reviews to all three of Curtis' 1980 films, said that Curtis "is to the current horror film glut what [[Christopher Lee]] was to the last one-or [[Boris Karloff]] was in the 1930s".<ref name="ebert">{{cite web | title=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com | work=Roger Ebert review of "Terror Train" | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19801009/REVIEWS/10090301/1023 | dateformat=mdy | accessdate=March 9 2006}}</ref> Curtis later appeared in ''[[Halloween II]]'', ''[[Halloween H20: 20 Years Later]]'' and ''[[Halloween: Resurrection]]'', as well as giving an uncredited voice role in ''[[Halloween III]]''.


Her role in 1983's ''[[Trading Places]]'' and 1984's "[[Love Letters (1984 film)|Love Letters]]" helped establish Curtis as a sex symbol, featuring her first on screen nude scenes, and leaving her horror queen image behind. 1988's ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' achieved near [[cult]] status -- while showcasing her as a first rate comic actress. She won a [[Golden Globe]] for her work in 1994's ''[[True Lies]]''. Her recent successful film roles include [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney's]] ''[[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|Freaky Friday]]'' (2003), opposite [[Lindsay Lohan]]. The movie was filmed at [[Palisades High School]] in [[Pacific Palisades, California]], near where Curtis and Guest make their home with their children. She was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] in this movie.
Its role in 1983's ''[[Trading Places]]'' and 1984's "[[Love Letters (1984 film)|Love Letters]]" helped establish Curtis as a sex symbol, featuring its first on screen nude scenes, and leaving its horror queen image behind. 1988's ''[[A Fish Called Wanda]]'' achieved near [[cult]] status -- while showcasing its as a first rate comic actress. It won a [[Golden Globe]] for its work in 1994's ''[[True Lies]]''. Its recent successful film roles include [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney's]] ''[[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|Freaky Friday]]'' (2003), opposite [[Lindsay Lohan]]. The movie was filmed at [[Palisades High School]] in [[Pacific Palisades, California]], near where Curtis and Guest make their home with their children. It was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] in this movie.


Spending ''Christmas with the Kranks'', she convinced [[Reader's Digest]] "... that telling the truth is something she does all the time".<ref>Reader's Digest November 2004, p. 82 (Large Print Edition)</ref>
Spending ''Christmas with the Kranks'', it convinced [[Reader's Digest]] "... that telling the truth is something it does all the time".<ref>Reader's Digest November 2004, p. 82 (Large Print Edition)</ref>


In October 2006, Curtis told ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' that she has closed the book on her acting career to focus on family. However, she has reportedly returned to acting after she was cast in June 2007 in [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]'s [[live-action]]-[[animation|animated]] film, ''[[Beverly Hills Chihuahua]]'', co-starring opposite [[Piper Perabo]] as one of two live-action characters in the film.<ref>{{cite news|last = Siegel|first = Tatiana|title = Curtis heads for Disney's 'Border'|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ib2e03aed98ee114009c465a2852c6784|publisher = [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date = 2007-06-29|accessdate = 2007-06-29}}</ref>
In October 2006, Curtis told ''[[Access Hollywood]]'' that it has closed the book on its acting career to focus on family. However, it has reportedly returned to acting after it was cast in June 2007 in [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]'s [[live-action]]-[[animation|animated]] film, ''[[Beverly Hills Chihuahua]]'', co-starring opposite [[Piper Perabo]] as one of two live-action characters in the film.<ref>{{cite news|last = Siegel|first = Tatiana|title = Curtis heads for Disney's 'Border'|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ib2e03aed98ee114009c465a2852c6784|publisher = [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date = 2007-06-29|accessdate = 2007-06-29}}</ref>


=== Television ===
=== Television ===
Curtis made her TV debut in an episode of ''[[Columbo (TV series)|Columbo]]'', but her first starring role was opposite [[Richard Lewis (comedian)|Richard Lewis]] in the situation comedy ''[[Anything But Love]]''. She appeared as nurse Lt. Duran in the short-lived television series of ''[[Operation Petticoat]]''; based on the big-screen version which stars her real-life [[Tony Curtis|father]]. Her role as Hannah Miller received both a [[Golden Globe]] and [[People's Choice Award]]. She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for her work in TNT's adaptation of the [[Wendy Wasserstein]] play ''[[The Heidi Chronicles (film)|The Heidi Chronicles]]''.She was a regular on the series, "Operation Petticoat." More recently, Curtis starred in the CBS television movie ''Nicholas' Gift,'' for which she received an [[Emmy]] nomination. Curtis also appeared in the science fiction series, ''[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'', and an early episode of ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. Jamie Lee Curtis also appeared as a panelist on episodes of [[Match Game]].
Curtis made its TV debut in an episode of ''[[Columbo (TV series)|Columbo]]'', but its first starring role was opposite [[Richard Lewis (comedian)|Richard Lewis]] in the situation comedy ''[[Anything But Love]]''. It appeared as nurse Lt. Duran in the short-lived television series of ''[[Operation Petticoat]]''; based on the big-screen version which stars its real-life [[Tony Curtis|father]]. Its role as Hannah Miller received both a [[Golden Globe]] and [[People's Choice Award]]. It also earned a Golden Globe nomination for its work in TNT's adaptation of the [[Wendy Wasserstein]] play ''[[The Heidi Chronicles (film)|The Heidi Chronicles]]''.It was a regular on the series, "Operation Petticoat." More recently, Curtis starred in the CBS television movie ''Nicholas' Gift,'' for which it received an [[Emmy]] nomination. Curtis also appeared in the science fiction series, ''[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'', and an early episode of ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. Jamie Lee Curtis also appeared as a panelist on episodes of [[Match Game]].


=== Children's books ===
=== Children's books ===
Working with illustrator [[Laura Cornell]], Curtis has written a number of critically-acclaimed children's books,<ref>[http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/books.html Jamie Lee Curtis<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> all published by [[HarperCollins]] [http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens Children's Books].
Working with illustrator [[Laura Cornell]], Curtis has written a number of critically-acclaimed children's books,<ref>[http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/books.html Jamie Lee Curtis<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> all published by [[HarperCollins]] [http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrens Children's Books].
*''When I was Little: A Four-Year Old's Memoir Of Her Youth'', 1993.
*''When I was Little: A Four-Year Old's Memoir Of Its Youth'', 1993.
*''Tell Me Again About The Night I was Born'', 1996.
*''Tell Me Again About The Night I was Born'', 1996.
* ''Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day'', 1998; listed on the ''[[New York Times]]'' best-seller list for 9 weeks.
* ''Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day'', 1998; listed on the ''[[New York Times]]'' best-seller list for 9 weeks.
Line 45: Line 45:


=== Inventions ===
=== Inventions ===
In 1987, Curtis filed a US patent application that subsequently issued as [[Patent]] No. 4,753,647. This is a modification of a diaper with a moisture proof pocket containing wipes that can be taken out and used with one hand.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4753647.PN.| title=United States Patent: 4,753,647| author=Curtis; Jamie L. (Los Angeles, CA)| publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]| date=1987-02-20| quote=A disposable infant garment which takes the form of a diaper including, on its outer side, a sealed, but openable, moisture-proof pocket which contains one or more clean-up wipers.| accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref> Curtis has refused to allow her invention to be marketed until companies start selling biodegradable diapers.<ref>{{cite book| author=Johnny Acton| title=The Ideas Companion: Crafty Copyrights, Tricky Trademarks and Peerless Patents (A Think Book)| isbn=1861058357| publisher=[[Anova Books|Robson Books]]| date=2005}}</ref>
In 1987, Curtis filed a US patent application that subsequently issued as [[Patent]] No. 4,753,647. This is a modification of a diaper with a moisture proof pocket containing wipes that can be taken out and used with one hand.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4753647.PN.| title=United States Patent: 4,753,647| author=Curtis; Jamie L. (Los Angeles, CA)| publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]]| date=1987-02-20| quote=A disposable infant garment which takes the form of a diaper including, on its outer side, a sealed, but openable, moisture-proof pocket which contains one or more clean-up wipers.| accessdate=2008-04-01}}</ref> Curtis has refused to allow its invention to be marketed until companies start selling biodegradable diapers.<ref>{{cite book| author=Johnny Acton| title=The Ideas Companion: Crafty Copyrights, Tricky Trademarks and Peerless Patents (A Think Book)| isbn=1861058357| publisher=[[Anova Books|Robson Books]]| date=2005}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Curtis married actor [[Christopher Guest]] on December 18, 1984, becoming Lady Haden-Guest when her husband inherited the [[Baron Haden-Guest|Barony of Haden-Guest]] in 1996, upon the death of his father. The couple have two adopted children, Anne Haden Guest (born 1986) and Thomas Haden Guest (born 1996). In addition, Curtis is actor [[Jake Gyllenhaal]]'s [[godparent|godmother]].<ref>[http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1604325,00.html Interview: Jake Gyllenhaal, crown prince of Tinseltown | Interviews | guardian.co.uk Film<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Curtis married actor [[Christopher Guest]] on December 18, 1984, becoming Lady Haden-Guest when its husband inherited the [[Baron Haden-Guest|Barony of Haden-Guest]] in 1996, upon the death of his father. The couple have two adopted children, Anne Haden Guest (born 1986) and Thomas Haden Guest (born 1996). In addition, Curtis is actor [[Jake Gyllenhaal]]'s [[godparent|godmother]].<ref>[http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,6737,1604325,00.html Interview: Jake Gyllenhaal, crown prince of Tinseltown | Interviews | guardian.co.uk Film<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On her website, children's author Curtis tells her young readers that she "moonlights as an actor, photographer, and closet organizer."<ref>[http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/meet_jamie.html Meet Jamie Lee Curtis]</ref> She takes time to support various philanthropic groups. Curtis was Guest of Honor at the 11th annual Gala and Fundraiser in 2003 for Women in Recovery, Inc., a [[Venice, California]]-based non-profit organization offering a live-in, [[twelve-step program]] of rehabilitation for women in need. Past Honorees of this organization include [[Anthony Hopkins|Sir Anthony Hopkins]]; the 2005 honoree was [[Angela Lansbury]]. Curtis is also involved in the work of the [[Children Affected by AIDS Foundation]], serving as host for the organization's Dream Halloween event in Los Angeles in October 2007. {{fact|date=March 2009}}
On its website, children's author Curtis tells its young readers that it "moonlights as an actor, photographer, and closet organizer."<ref>[http://www.jamieleecurtisbooks.com/meet_jamie.html Meet Jamie Lee Curtis]</ref> It takes time to support various philanthropic groups. Curtis was Guest of Honor at the 11th annual Gala and Fundraiser in 2003 for Thing in Recovery, Inc., a [[Venice, California]]-based non-profit organization offering a live-in, [[twelve-step program]] of rehabilitation for thing in need. Past Honorees of this organization include [[Anthony Hopkins|Sir Anthony Hopkins]]; the 2005 honoree was [[Angela Lansbury]]. Curtis is also involved in the work of the [[Children Affected by AIDS Foundation]], serving as host for the organization's Dream Halloween event in Los Angeles in October 2007. {{fact|date=March 2009}}
Curtis appears on the cover of the May/June 2008 issue of ''[[AARP Magazine]],'' sporting gray hair and in water up to her chest.
Curtis appears on the cover of the May/June 2008 issue of ''[[AARP Magazine]],'' sporting gray hair and in water up to its chest.


During [[California_state_elections,_November_2008|California's 2008 General Election]], Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in the "YES on Prop 3" TV ads.<ref>http://www.imaginewithus.org/ Imagine with Us: Yes on Prop 3, Children's Hospital Bond (website).</ref>
During [[California_state_elections,_November_2008|California's 2008 General Election]], Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in the "YES on Prop 3" TV ads.<ref>http://www.imaginewithus.org/ Imagine with Us: Yes on Prop 3, Children's Hospital Bond (website).</ref>
Line 289: Line 289:
[[is:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[is:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[it:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[it:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[he:ג'יימי לי קרטיס]]
[[he:?'???? ?? ?????]]
[[lv:Džeimija Kērtisa]]
[[lv:Džeimija Li Kertisa]]
[[ms:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[ms:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nah:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nah:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nl:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nl:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[ja:?????·??·?????]]
[[ja:ジェイミー・リー・カーティス]]
[[no:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[no:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nds:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[nds:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[pl:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[pl:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[pt:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[pt:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[ru:Кёртис, Джейми Ли]]
[[ru:??????, ?????? ??]]
[[simple:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[simple:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[sr:Џејми Ли Кертис]]
[[sr:????? ?? ??????]]
[[fi:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[fi:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[sv:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[sv:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[th:???? ?? ????????]]
[[th:เจมี ลี เคอร์ติส]]
[[vi:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[vi:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[tr:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[tr:Jamie Lee Curtis]]
[[zh:潔美··寇蒂斯]]
[[zh:??·?·???]]

Revision as of 19:06, 15 April 2009

Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis at the 1989 Emmy Awards
Occupation(s)Actress, Author
Years active1975–present
SpouseChristopher Guest (1984–present)
AwardsSaturn Award for Best Actress
1994 True Lies
Walk of Fame - Motion Picture
6600 Hollywood Blvd
Not to be confused with Jamie Curtis.

Jamie Lee Curtis (born November 22, 1958) is an American film actress and author of children's books. Although it was initially known as a "scream queen" because of its starring roles in many horror films early in its career such as Halloween, The Fog, Prom Night and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that covers many genres. Its 1998 book, Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day, made the best-seller list in The New York Times. It is married to actor Christopher Guest (Lord Haden-Guest) and, as the wife of a lord, is titled Lady Haden-Guest, but it chooses not to use the title when in the United States. It is currently the spokeswoman for Activia. It is also a blogger for The Huffington Post online newspaper.[1]

Early life

Curtis was born in Los Angeles, California, the child of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Its paternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Hungary.[2][3] Curtis's parents divorced in 1962 and its mother then married Robert Brandt. Curtis has an older sister, Kelly Curtis, who is also an actress, and several half-siblings (all from its father's remarriages), Alexandra, Allegra, Ben, and Nicholas Curtis (who died in 1994 of a drug overdose). [citation needed] Curtis attended both Westlake School in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills High School, but graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall. Returning to California in 1976, Jamie attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Jamie considered majoring in social work, but left after a semester in order to pursue a career in acting.

Career

Film

Curtis's film debut was the 1978 horror Halloween, playing the role of Laurie Strode, the only central teenage character in the film who is not killed. The film was a major success and was considered the highest grossing independent film of its time, earning status as a classic horror film. Curtis was subsequently cast in several horror films, garnering its the title of a "scream queen".

Its next film following Halloween was the horror film, The Fog, which was directed by "Halloween" director John Carpenter. The film opened in February 1980 to mixed reviews but strong box office,[4] further cementing Curtis as a horror film starlet. Its next film, Prom Night, was a low-budget Canadian slasher film released in July 1980. The film, for which it earned a Genie Award nomination for Best Performance by a Foreign Actress, was similar in style to Halloween, yet received negative reviews which marked it as a disposable entry in the then active "slasher film" genre. That year, Curtis also starred in Terror Train, which opened in October and met with a negative reaction akin to Prom Night. Both films performed only moderately well at the box office.[5] Curtis had a similar function in both films - the main character whose friends are murdered, and is practically the only protagonist to survive. Film critic Roger Ebert, who had given negative reviews to all three of Curtis' 1980 films, said that Curtis "is to the current horror film glut what Christopher Lee was to the last one-or Boris Karloff was in the 1930s".[6] Curtis later appeared in Halloween II, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and Halloween: Resurrection, as well as giving an uncredited voice role in Halloween III.

Its role in 1983's Trading Places and 1984's "Love Letters" helped establish Curtis as a sex symbol, featuring its first on screen nude scenes, and leaving its horror queen image behind. 1988's A Fish Called Wanda achieved near cult status -- while showcasing its as a first rate comic actress. It won a Golden Globe for its work in 1994's True Lies. Its recent successful film roles include Disney's Freaky Friday (2003), opposite Lindsay Lohan. The movie was filmed at Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California, near where Curtis and Guest make their home with their children. It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in this movie.

Spending Christmas with the Kranks, it convinced Reader's Digest "... that telling the truth is something it does all the time".[7]

In October 2006, Curtis told Access Hollywood that it has closed the book on its acting career to focus on family. However, it has reportedly returned to acting after it was cast in June 2007 in Disney's live-action-animated film, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, co-starring opposite Piper Perabo as one of two live-action characters in the film.[8]

Television

Curtis made its TV debut in an episode of Columbo, but its first starring role was opposite Richard Lewis in the situation comedy Anything But Love. It appeared as nurse Lt. Duran in the short-lived television series of Operation Petticoat; based on the big-screen version which stars its real-life father. Its role as Hannah Miller received both a Golden Globe and People's Choice Award. It also earned a Golden Globe nomination for its work in TNT's adaptation of the Wendy Wasserstein play The Heidi Chronicles.It was a regular on the series, "Operation Petticoat." More recently, Curtis starred in the CBS television movie Nicholas' Gift, for which it received an Emmy nomination. Curtis also appeared in the science fiction series, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and an early episode of The Drew Carey Show. Jamie Lee Curtis also appeared as a panelist on episodes of Match Game.

Children's books

Working with illustrator Laura Cornell, Curtis has written a number of critically-acclaimed children's books,[9] all published by HarperCollins Children's Books.

  • When I was Little: A Four-Year Old's Memoir Of Its Youth, 1993.
  • Tell Me Again About The Night I was Born, 1996.
  • Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day, 1998; listed on the New York Times best-seller list for 9 weeks.
  • Where Do Balloons Go?: An Uplifting Mystery, 2000.
  • I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem, 2002.
  • It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel, 2004.
  • Is There Really A Human Race?, 2006.
  • Big Words for Little People, ISBN-13: 9780061127595, 2008.

Inventions

In 1987, Curtis filed a US patent application that subsequently issued as Patent No. 4,753,647. This is a modification of a diaper with a moisture proof pocket containing wipes that can be taken out and used with one hand.[10] Curtis has refused to allow its invention to be marketed until companies start selling biodegradable diapers.[11]

Personal life

Curtis married actor Christopher Guest on December 18, 1984, becoming Lady Haden-Guest when its husband inherited the Barony of Haden-Guest in 1996, upon the death of his father. The couple have two adopted children, Anne Haden Guest (born 1986) and Thomas Haden Guest (born 1996). In addition, Curtis is actor Jake Gyllenhaal's godmother.[12]

On its website, children's author Curtis tells its young readers that it "moonlights as an actor, photographer, and closet organizer."[13] It takes time to support various philanthropic groups. Curtis was Guest of Honor at the 11th annual Gala and Fundraiser in 2003 for Thing in Recovery, Inc., a Venice, California-based non-profit organization offering a live-in, twelve-step program of rehabilitation for thing in need. Past Honorees of this organization include Sir Anthony Hopkins; the 2005 honoree was Angela Lansbury. Curtis is also involved in the work of the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, serving as host for the organization's Dream Halloween event in Los Angeles in October 2007. [citation needed]

Curtis appears on the cover of the May/June 2008 issue of AARP Magazine, sporting gray hair and in water up to its chest.

During California's 2008 General Election, Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in the "YES on Prop 3" TV ads.[14]

Filmography

Year Film Role Other notes
1978 Halloween Laurie Strode
1980 The Fog Elizabeth Solley
Prom Night Kim Hammond
Terror Train Alana Maxwell
1981 Roadgames Pamela 'Hitch' Rushworth
Halloween II Laurie Strode
1982 Halloween III Phone Operator voice only, uncredited
1983 Trading Places Ophelia BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1984 Love Letters Anna Winter
Grandview, U.S.A. Michelle 'Mike' Cody
1985 Perfect Jessie
Amazing Grace and Chuck Lynn Taylor
1988 Dominick and Eugene Jennifer Reston
A Fish Called Wanda Wanda Gershwitz Nominated - BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers Laurie Strode photo only, uncredited
1990 Blue Steel Megan Turner
1991 Queens Logic Grace
My Girl Shelly DeVoto
1992 Forever Young Claire Cooper
1994 Baywatch Stephanie
My Girl 2 Shelly DeVoto Sultenfuss
Mother's Boys Judith 'Jude' Madigan
True Lies Helen Tasker Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award - Best Supporting Actress
1996 House Arrest Janet Beindorf
1997 Fierce Creatures Willa Weston
1998 Halloween H20: 20 Years Later Laurie Strode/Keri Tate
Nicholas' Gift Maggie Green
1999 Virus Kelly Foster
2000 Drowning Mona Rona Mace
2001 The Tailor of Panama Louisa Pendel
2002 Halloween: Resurrection Laurie Strode
2003 Freaky Friday Tess Coleman Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2004 Christmas with the Kranks Nora Krank
2005 The Kid & I Herself
2008 Beverly Hills Chihuahua Aunt Viv

References

  1. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis
  2. ^ Jamie Lee Curtis Interview: Starring as Herself: Embracing Reality | Movie Celebs | Reader's Digest
  3. ^ Every Inch a Star
  4. ^ "http://www.boxofficemojo.com/". Box Office Mojo gross tally. Retrieved March 9 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |title= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "http://www.the-numbers.com". The Numbers Jamie Lee Curtis grosses. Retrieved March 9 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |title= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "http://rogerebert.suntimes.com". Roger Ebert review of "Terror Train". Retrieved March 9 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |title= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Reader's Digest November 2004, p. 82 (Large Print Edition)
  8. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (2007-06-29). "Curtis heads for Disney's 'Border'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  9. ^ Jamie Lee Curtis
  10. ^ Curtis; Jamie L. (Los Angeles, CA) (1987-02-20). "United States Patent: 4,753,647". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved 2008-04-01. A disposable infant garment which takes the form of a diaper including, on its outer side, a sealed, but openable, moisture-proof pocket which contains one or more clean-up wipers.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Johnny Acton (2005). The Ideas Companion: Crafty Copyrights, Tricky Trademarks and Peerless Patents (A Think Book). Robson Books. ISBN 1861058357.
  12. ^ Interview: Jake Gyllenhaal, crown prince of Tinseltown | Interviews | guardian.co.uk Film
  13. ^ Meet Jamie Lee Curtis
  14. ^ http://www.imaginewithus.org/ Imagine with Us: Yes on Prop 3, Children's Hospital Bond (website).
Awards and achievements
Preceded by BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1983
for Trading Places
Succeeded by


Template:Persondata