Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, one of the most talked-about celebrity couples of the 1960s, were known not only for their glamour but also for the bitterness that marked the later years of their marriage.
Often compared to the “Jack and Rose” of their era, their love story initially defied the odds, overcoming industry pressures and personal challenges. However, what began as a Hollywood fairytale ultimately unraveled, leading to their divorce.
The pair, who captivated audiences both on and off-screen, starred together in five films. Leigh, already an established actress by the late 1940s, met Curtis at a press party in the early 1950s. At the time, she was well-known for roles in The Romance of Rosy Ridge and Little Women, while Curtis was still striving for his big break. Despite her greater fame, their romance quickly blossomed into marriage.
Yet cracks soon appeared in their relationship. The birth of their first daughter, Kelly, did little to mend the growing rift. When their second daughter, Jamie Lee, was born, she was seen as a “save-the-marriage baby,” but even her arrival couldn’t prevent their separation in 1962.
Jamie Lee Curtis later reflected on her parents’ troubled relationship, acknowledging how their rising fame only intensified their issues. Like every other save-the-marriage baby, I failed, she once admitted. Curtis was the one to file for divorce, ending their family unit.
Leigh, beloved by both fans and Hollywood insiders, had once caught the attention of the powerful Howard Hughes. However, her heart belonged to Curtis. Their love was tested when Universal Studios offered Curtis $10,000 to marry his co-star Piper Laurie, believing it would boost both of their careers. But Curtis remained loyal to Leigh and instead proposed to her in 1951, leading to a small but elegant wedding.
Despite their deep affection, privacy concerns and professional jealousy took a toll on their marriage. Curtis struggled with Leigh’s success and admitted to feeling inferior. His battles with alcoholism and alleged infidelity only added to the tension. Their relationship became more of a partnership than a romance, and Curtis eventually left Leigh for 17-year-old actress Christine Kaufmann. They officially parted ways in 1968. Curtis would go on to marry four more times before his death in 2010.
Growing up in the shadow of Hollywood’s expectations had a profound effect on Jamie Lee Curtis. She described herself as a product of 13 divorces and recalled a household filled with tension, competition, and jealousy. Watching her parents’ turbulent relationship made it difficult for her to believe in true love.
Jamie was shaped by two father figures: her biological father, Curtis, who inspired her creativity, and her stepfather, Robert Brandt, who demonstrated what love and stability looked like. Though she acknowledged her father’s flaws, she also recognized his immense talent.
Kelly, her older sister, credited their mother with teaching them gratitude and inner peace. Curtis, who fathered six children from multiple marriages, was estranged from many of them later in life, with financial disputes adding to the friction.
Despite the challenges of their upbringing, both Jamie Lee and Kelly Curtis carved out successful acting careers, carrying on their parents’ Hollywood legacy.