Michael Curtiz

Michael Curtiz

Stars

Michael Curtiz
Film: South side of the 6600 block of Hollywood Boulevard
Director
Born Mihaly Kertesz on Dec. 24, 1886 in Budapest, Hungary
Died April 10, 1962 of cancer in Sherman Oaks, CA

Michael Curtiz was a legendary film director and colorful figure in Hollywood for 35 years.

Many honors came to Curtiz during his long career, among them an Academy Award for his direction of 1943's "Casablanca."

His direction also contributed to the winning of Academy Awards by others, notably Joan Crawford's victory for her 1945 performance in "Mildred Pierce."

Curtiz turned to films after World War I, first in Hungary as an actor and director, then in Sweden, where he was associated with director Mauritz Stiller and directed Greta Garbo in one of her early pictures.

Later Curtiz joined the old UFA Company in Berlin, and before coming to Hollywood in 1927 his work was know internationally.

His films included "Mammy," "The Jazz Singer," Dodge City," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "The Story of Will Rogers."

Among Curtiz's discoveries were the late Errol Flynn, the late John Garfield and singer Doris Day.

Of all his films, Curtiz was proudest of "This Is the Army," which poured $9 million into coffers of the U.S. Army Relief Fund during World War II.

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    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1935 Best Director Captain Blood Nomination
    1938 Best Director Angels With Dirty Faces Nomination
    1938 Best Director Four Daughters Nomination
    1942 Best Director Yankee Doodle Dandy Nomination
    1943 Best Director Casablanca Win

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