The 6 Women, The $60 Million Will, And The Feud: 7 Shocking Truths About Tony Curtis And His Most Complex Relationships

Tony Curtis and... The search query itself suggests a deep dive into the complex web of relationships and controversies that defined the life of Hollywood's ultimate "Bronx Boy," Bernard Schwartz. As of late 2025, the actor's legacy remains a subject of intense curiosity, not just for his iconic film roles in classics like *Some Like It Hot* and *Spartacus*, but for the dramatic, often heartbreaking, details of his personal life, including six marriages and an infamous final will that continues to spark debate. His story is a quintessential Hollywood tragedy and triumph, filled with dazzling fame, artistic ambition, and profound personal turmoil, particularly concerning his relationship with his most famous co-stars and, most controversially, his own children.

Tony Curtis: A Life of Wives, Children, and Controversy

Born Bernard Schwartz in 1925, Tony Curtis was a Hollywood legend whose life was as dramatic as any film he starred in. He was married six times and fathered five children, all of whom played significant roles in his public and private narrative.

Biography & Profile

• Birth Name: Bernard Schwartz
• Born: June 3, 1925, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
• Died: September 29, 2010 (aged 85), Henderson, Nevada, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Artist, Author
• Notable Films: *Some Like It Hot* (1959), *The Defiant Ones* (1958), *Spartacus* (1960), *Sweet Smell of Success* (1957).
• Wives (6):
  1. Janet Leigh (m. 1951; div. 1962)
  2. Christine Kaufmann (m. 1963; div. 1968)
  3. Leslie Allen (m. 1968; div. 1982)
  4. Andrea Savio (m. 1984; div. 1992)
  5. Lisa Deutsch (m. 1993; div. 1994)
  6. Jill Vandenberg (m. 1998; remained married until his death)
• Children (5):
  • Kelly Curtis (with Janet Leigh)
  • Jamie Lee Curtis (with Janet Leigh)
  • Alexandra Curtis (with Christine Kaufmann)
  • Allegra Curtis (with Christine Kaufmann)
  • Benjamin Curtis (with Leslie Allen) - tragically passed away in 1994.

The Infamous $60 Million Will and His Children

The most controversial and enduring aspect of Tony Curtis's final years is his last will and testament. Four months before his death in 2010, the actor made a stunning decision that cut all five of his surviving children out of his estimated $60 million estate, leaving everything to his sixth wife, Jill Vandenberg.

This decision included his most famous daughter, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, and his other four children: Kelly, Alexandra, Allegra, and his son Benjamin's estate. The will explicitly stated that he "intentionally and with full knowledge" chose not to provide for them.

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The move immediately sparked a public outcry and a legal battle, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the change. While the disinheritance was shocking, the relationship between Curtis and his children, particularly Jamie Lee Curtis, was often strained and distant, a fact she has alluded to in various interviews. The will remains a stark and permanent feature of his complex legacy, overshadowing his cinematic achievements for many.

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh: The Golden Couple's Implosion

The marriage of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh was the original Hollywood "It" couple romance of the 1950s. They met at an RKO publicity party in 1950, and their relationship was described as "very hot, very physical" in the early years.

However, their happiness was short-lived. The pressure of two major careers, coupled with Curtis's growing insecurity and infidelities, led to a troubled marriage. He was reportedly insecure about Leigh's relationships with other men, even professional ones.

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The marriage officially ended in 1962, shortly after Curtis filmed *Spartacus* and, crucially, *Some Like It Hot*. The divorce was finalized quickly, with Leigh remarrying stockbroker Robert Brandt just one day after the divorce was completed.

Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe: The Kiss He Called 'Like Kissing Hitler'

No discussion of Tony Curtis is complete without addressing his tumultuous professional and personal relationship with Marilyn Monroe on the set of the 1959 comedy masterpiece, *Some Like It Hot*. The film, which is still celebrated today, was a nightmare to produce due to Monroe's chronic lateness and erratic behavior, which drove both Curtis and co-star Jack Lemmon to their limits.

The most famous and enduring quote from this era is Curtis's infamous remark about their on-screen kiss, which he reportedly said was "like kissing Hitler."

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However, the complexity of their relationship goes deeper than professional frustration. Curtis later revealed a shocking personal detail in his autobiography, claiming that Monroe was pregnant with his child during the filming of the movie. According to Curtis, Monroe told him she was carrying his baby, a claim that adds a layer of tragic drama to their already strained working relationship.

This deep-seated tension and the explosive chemistry they managed to project on screen is a key reason why *Some Like It Hot* remains a cultural touchstone, even inspiring a recent Broadway musical run.

The Other Side of Tony Curtis: The Artist and His Pop Art Legacy

While his acting career peaked in the 1950s and 60s, a lesser-known but equally significant part of the "Tony Curtis and" narrative is his successful second career as a serious visual artist. Beginning in the 1980s, Curtis devoted himself to painting, primarily working in the Pop Art style, which he often infused with a vibrant, expressionistic flair.

His artwork, which often featured bold colors and abstract compositions, was not merely a hobby. Curtis established an active career, with his paintings exhibited in galleries worldwide, including the prestigious Butler Institute of American Art. He was a prolific painter, with his work commanding significant prices and adding a unique dimension to his overall legacy.

This artistic pursuit offered him a creative outlet far removed from the pressures and scrutiny of Hollywood, allowing the former "Bronx Boy" to reinvent himself as a respected figure in the art world. His dedication to painting cemented his legacy as a trailblazer who fought against being typecast, proving he was more than just the sum of his films.

Key Entities and Topical Authority Related to Tony Curtis

• Bernard Schwartz: His birth name, a reminder of his humble beginnings in the Bronx before he became a Hollywood star.
• Jamie Lee Curtis: His daughter, a major Hollywood star in her own right, whose strained relationship with her father is a recurring topic of discussion.
• Jill Vandenberg: His sixth and final wife, who inherited his entire estate, a fact that remains a source of public fascination and controversy.
• Billy Wilder: The legendary director of *Some Like It Hot*, who also struggled with Monroe's behavior during filming.
• *The Defiant Ones*: The 1958 film for which Curtis received his only Academy Award nomination, showcasing his dramatic range.
• Pop Art: The style he adopted in his successful second career as a painter, a significant part of his later life.