Actor Tony Curtis dead at 85

Tony Curtis, whose good looks and acting abilities made him a Hollywood star in movies such as "The Sweet Smell of Success" and "Some Like It Hot," died at his home in Nevada, ABC News reported Thursday.

Curtis, one of the biggest box-office stars of the 1950s and one of Hollywood's busiest playboys, died in bed at midnight, ABC said, citing his business manager and family spokesman, Preston Ahearn.

Curtis received a best actor Oscar nomination for his role in "The Defiant Ones" in which he starred in 1958 opposite Sidney Poitier.

He was born Bernard Schwartz in the Bronx on June 3, 1925. He appeared in more than 100 films, including "The Sweet Smell of Success" (1957) "The Vikings (1958)," "Operation Petticoat (1959)," "Some Like it Hot" (1959), "Spartacus" (1960) ,"The Great Race" (1965) and "The Boston Strangler" (1968).

He was married six times, including to actress Janet Leigh. Their daughters are Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Lee Curtis, both actresses. The couple was married for 11 years, divorcing in 1962.

Curtis had been in poor health for the last several years. He was hospitalized in July after an asthma attack.

Reuters contributed to this report