Over the last week the world has been mourning the loss of iconic film actor Tony Curtis.  Curtis, whose memorable credits include “Some Like It Hot” (1959), “Spartacus” (1960), and “The Great Race” (1965), had a prolific film career that spanned six decades, earned him an Oscar nomination and made him a Hollywood legend.

Tony Curtis was also a friend of “The Ed Sullivan Show” appearing on the show four times.  In 1956 to promote the movie “Trapeze” Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster came on the variety show to perform numerous acrobatic acts and talk about their crushes on the beautiful (but married) female co-star Gina Lollabrigida.  Later on in the same 1956 show there was a touching moment when Burt Lancaster and Ed Sullivan sang Happy Birthday to Tony Curtis with the help of the studio audience.  On other shows Ed Sullivan visited with Tony Curtis on the sets of the films like “Trapeze” and “The Great Race.”  In these Ed Sullivan Show appearances, the country got to witness a young Tony Curtis growing into a true Hollywood star. 

With over a hundred movie credits and a legacy established in the entertainment world, he truly is an inspiration that will be missed.  Our condolences go out to the Curtis family. 

Tony Curtis is survived by his wife and six children. The actor will be given a public funeral today, followed by a burial and a reception in Las Vegas.