Synopsis
Jamie Lee Curtis, the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, is an American actress who was nicknamed the "Scream Queen" in the 1980's for her roles in several horror movies. After making her television debut in the series Operation Petticoat (1977), she landed film roles in Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Terror Train (1980) and Halloween II (1981). In 1989 she earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the comedy A Fish Called Wanda, and soon earned a Golden Globe Award for her work on the televison series True Lies (1994). In 2003 she starred in her next big box-office success in the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday alongside Lindsay Lohan. She has also authored several children's books. She is married to Christopher Guest.
Early YearsActress, director, author. Born November 22, 1958 in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of screen legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis was born in the spotlight. After dropping out of college to pursue acting, Curtis made her debut in the television series Operation Petticoat,in 1977. That same year, Curtis landed a starring role in the horror film Halloween (1978). A host of horror films followed, including roles in The Fog (1980), Terror Train (1980), and Halloween II (1981). Curtis' reputation as a "Scream Queen" was secured.
Curtis' acting talents were better showcased in her later roles in the comedy A Fish Called Wanda, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 1989, and the television series Anything But Love, for which she won a Golden Globe in 1989. Curtis won a second Golden Globe for her performance in True Lies (1994) with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Regarded by some critics as her best work, True Lies boosted Curtis' career fully to A-List status.
In 1998 and 2002 she went back to horror, starring in two other Halloween sequels: Halloween H20 and Halloween: Resurrection, nearly 20 years after she appeared in the original film. Though she gave memorable supporting performances in 2000's Drowning Mona and 2001's Tailor of Panama, Curtis' next big big box-office success came with a younger crowd when she co-starred as Tess Coleman in the 2003 remake of Freaky Friday.
In addition to her career as an actress, Curtis has also written several children's books, including Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born (1996) and When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth (1993). She is married to actor and director Christopher Guest, with whom she has two children, Annie and Thomas.
Career Beginnings
After graduating high school in 1977, Curtis tried college but soon dropped out. She decided to pursue a career as an actress and soon landed a few guest spots on such shows as Quincy M.E.. Curtis even had a role on the short-lived military comedy Operation Petticoat, which was based on a 1959 film that starred her father.
Curtis's real breakthrough, however, came in 1978. She starred in John Carpenter's classic horror film Halloween. The unexpected success of this film led to more work in the horror genre, including Prom Night (1980), The Fog (1980), and Halloween II (1981). She soon earned the nickname "Scream Queen" for her work in such films.
Later Television and Film Work
On the small screen, Curtis showed her dramatic talents in Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story. She played the title character, a Playboy model, who died at the hands of her abusive and controlling husband. Curtis also displayed her comic chops in the 1983 hit film Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Her portrayal of a soft-hearted hooker helped take her career to a new level.
Curtis landed a number of leading film roles, with decidedly mixed results. She earned positive reviews for Love Letters (1983) and Grandview, U.S.A. (1984). Perfect (1985),however, proved to be anything but perfection. Starring opposite John Travolta, Curtis played an aerobics instructor in this box office dud.
In 1988, Curtis enjoyed another wave of success with the comedy A Fish Called Wanda starring John Cleese and Kevin Kline. She then starred in her own sitcom Anything But Love with comedian Richard Lewis. The show ran from 1989 to 1992. Curtis soon showed another side of her acting abilities, taking on the action-adventure genre in the film True Lies (1994). Co-starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger, she played a suburban wife who doesn't know her husband is a spy.
In recent years, Curtis has taken on few acting roles. She won praise for her work in the 2003 comedy Freaky Friday opposite Lindsay Lohan. Curtis also appeared in Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) and You Again (2010). On the small screen, she has been the spokesperson for Activa yogurt since 2007.
Writing Career
Curtis is one of the few celebrity writers to win over both critics and readers. She has enjoyed tremendous success as a children's book author. Her first children's work, When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth, was published in 1993.
