This Girl Became a Star – The ‘Product of 13 Divorces,’ Her Dad Left Her Mom for 17-Year-Old Actress
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were a dazzling pair in the ’60s, much like a real-life Jack and Rose. Their marriage mirrored the glitz and glam of Hollywood, but behind closed doors, things were often tumultuous.
The world behind the cameras in Hollywood has always been one of allure and magic, with famous couples stealing the spotlight. Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were Hollywood’s golden duo, capturing public adoration with their love story amidst the vibrant entertainment scene.
However, despite the initial fairy-tale romance, Tony and Janet’s relationship couldn’t withstand the pressures of the limelight and they eventually parted ways.
Tony Curtis at the Dorchester Hotel in London, England, circa 1957 | Source: Getty Images
THE BIRTH OF JAMIE LEE CURTIS: A FINAL HOPE FOR LOVE
Tony Curtis was as flamboyant as he was talented, a quintessential superstar whose charm and acting prowess were well regarded. Even though he enjoyed the company of numerous women and experienced multiple marriages, none were as impactful as his union with Janet Leigh.
The couple was adored, capturing public fascination not just off-screen but in Hollywood’s film sets, starring together in several movies that showed their undeniable chemistry.
Promotional portrait of American actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis for the movie ‘Strictly for Pleasure,’ directed by Blake Edwards | Source: Getty Images
Janet already had an established reputation in Hollywood by the time she met Tony Curtis at a publicity event in the 1950s, having enjoyed a breakthrough in the late ’40s.
With a wealth of successful movies like “The Romance of Rosy Ridge” and “Little Women” under her belt, she was a monumental figure in the industry. Yet, Tony’s star was just about to rise when they fell in love and decided to marry, overcoming many challenges to be together.
Though they hoped to stay in love forever, that proved to be a dream farther from reality than they anticipated.
American actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh smile at their daughter Kelly Lee | Source: Getty Images
Their first child, Kelly, arrived at a point when the couple’s passion had begun to wane. In a last effort to rekindle their waning relationship, they welcomed their daughter Jamie—a “save-the-marriage baby.” Even so, the couple could not withstand the issues plaguing their union and eventually divorced.
Reflecting on her parents, Jamie shared, “By the time I arrived… their bond had deteriorated precipitously as their stardom grew. She, like other save-the-marriage babies, could not alter the course of their circumstances. Tony eventually filed for divorce in 1962, splitting their family apart.
TONY AND LEIGH’S LOVE STORY
Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis posing with child in publicity portrait for the film ‘The Perfect Furlough,’ circa 1958 | Source: Getty Images
Janet had the admiration of many, both within and outside Hollywood. Upon meeting Tony, she was already involved with the high echelons of the film industry.
While Hollywood mogul Howard Hughes had romantic designs on Leigh, her heart belonged to Tony. Their love was passionate and intense, transcending professional advice and social expectations.
Married American actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh on a carousel, circa 1955 | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, Tony’s dedication faced its trials, as Universal offered him a hefty sum to marry co-star Piper Laurie, a union that would have bolstered his career significantly. However, love proved more important than financial and career gains.
The news of Tony’s proposal to Janet in 1951 stunned many, including his employers at Universal. Unfazed by societal pressures, they married in a quiet but enchanting ceremony. Friends warned Janet about rushing into marriage, but their passion overshadowed all doubt.
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh at the 25th Annual Academy Awards on March 19, 1953 | Source: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Initially, life with Tony seemed like a perfect script until personal privacy became a hurdle. Outwardly, they appeared the perfect couple, yet internally they wrestled with harmony.
Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh at a formal event, circa 1955 | Source: Getty Images
Tony became increasingly insecure about Janet’s resounding success, envying her interactions with others. Feeling overshadowed, he noted, “I realized I was becoming subordinate.” This brewed self-doubt led him into a shadowy period marked by substance abuse and affairs.
Portrait of Janet Leigh for Photoplay circa 1954 | Photo: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
As their intimacy waned, Tony came to a decisive impasse, marking the beginning of their separation. He left Janet for younger actress Christine Kaufmann, yet this union too fell apart in 1968. Before passing in 2010 from congestive heart failure, Tony embarked on four more marriages.
THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A STAR’S CHILD
Growing up under the limelight cast by renowned parents such as Tony and Janet was far from glamorous for Jamie.
She often cited herself as a “product of 13 divorces,” explaining how her parents’ marital woes influenced her skepticism towards true romance.
Jamie and her sister navigated a household mired in competition and jealousy, observing keenly the pressures their parents faced in Hollywood.
Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and their two daughters Kelly and Jamie Lee | Source: Getty Images
With Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh as parents, Jamie and Kelly were constantly under public scrutiny, often compared to their famous lineage. Jamie shared a heartfelt reflection, expressing how her birth was met with public curiosity due to her celebrity parents.
She was molded by two prominent figures—Tony Curtis, her charismatic biological father, and Robert Brandt, her stepfather who taught her compassion.
Actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis pose with their baby daughter Kelly Curtis at home on August 4, 1956, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
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Despite the complexities, Jamie reflects positively on her heritage, thanking her parents for shaping her talents. She frequently honors Leigh with heartwarming tributes and appreciates the comedic genius Tony left behind.
Jamie’s elder sister, Kelly, shares warm memories of their mother, recalling lessons of gratitude and contentment.
TONY AND LEIGH’S LEGACY THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN
Kelly Lee Curtis, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, and Jamie Lee Curtis at home in Hollywood on January 16, 1959 | Source: Getty Images
Tony Curtis’s legacy extends to six children across several marriages, although a strained relationship marred his connection with them. Despite their issues, Jamie followed his path into acting, carving her own successful career filled with iconic roles and accolades.
Jamie Lee Curtis speaks onstage during the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 28, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Kelly also made her mark in the film industry with roles in “Magic Sticks” and “The Devil’s Daughter.” Her foray into acting began in the historical adventure “The Vikings,” where she shared the screen with her celebrated parents.
Though Tony’s fatherhood may not have been picture-perfect, his legacy as a talented actor remains untarnished by his challenging personal life, and both daughters continue to hold their parents’ memories dear while forging their own paths in Hollywood.
