LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Curtis' most famous role is probably his comedic turn as a musician who dresses as a woman following a 1920s mob hit to join an all-woman orchestra with Jack Lemmon in "Some Like It Hot." Featuring the iconic Marilyn Monroe as well, "Hot" was declared the funniest American comedy by the American Film Institute.

Curtis started in such forgettable films such as "Francis," "I Was a Shoplifter," "No Room for the Groom" and "Son of Ali Baba." He first attracted critical notice as Sidney Falco, the press agent seeking favor with a sadistic columnist, played by Burt Lancaster, in the 1957 classic "Sweet Smell of Success."

Curtis lent his presence to such other classic films as Stanley Kubrick's "Spartacus," "Captain Newman, M.D.," "The Vikings," "Kings Go Forth" and "Operation Petticoat." "The Defiant Ones" remained his only Oscar-nominated role.

"My father leaves behind a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings and assemblages," actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Curtis' daughter with onetime wife Janet Leigh of "Psycho" fame said in a statement.

"He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world."

Curtis remained vigorous and highly visible up until the end of his life. Authorities he died of a cardiac arrest in his Las Vegas home.