CHINA Edition
Hungarian Edition
When we think that many of Hollywood’s dream companies were founded by Hungarians and that there are nearly 500 Hungarians who have been involved in the creation, operation, and flourishing of Hollywood from the early 1900s to the present day, many names undoubtedly come to mind… Among them, the “Duke of Hollywood” occupies an important place. Tony Curtis, whose talents shone in more than a hundred films, gave this title to his autobiographical novel.
Mátészalka is a long way from Hollywood—10,000 kilometres away. Born Schwartz Bernát, the world-famous Tony Curtis returned several times to the town in Eastern Hungary from where his parents set off for the New World. If they had not left, there would have been no Hollywood legend Tony Curtis. He captured the imagination of generations with his remarkable talent, charisma, and versatility. From unforgettable roles in films like Some Like It Hot and Spartacus to his later work as a painter and writer, his creative spirit knew no boundaries.
Tony Curtis was born 100 years ago, on 3 June 1925. The Hungarian Hollywood Council, an NGO dedicated to Hollywood’s Hungarian roots, has declared 2025 the Tony Curtis Memorial Year. The commemorative year is a fitting tribute to the life’s work of Tony Curtis.
The actor is famous for more than just his name in film history. In 1987, he set up the Emanuel Foundation in memory of his father. The foundation’s aim is to preserve the memory of the victims of the Holocaust in Hungary and to raise education and awareness about the Holocaust. The Emanuel Foundation memorial tree in the Dohány Street Synagogue stands in memory of the 600,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust in Hungary, donated by the foundation. In 2003, Curtis was asked by the Hungarian government to promote Hungary by making an image film.
The central celebration of the commemorative year took place at the Pesti Vigadó on the anniversary of Tony Curtis’ birth, jointly organised by the Hungarian Hollywood Council, the Hungarian Academy of Arts, and Origo Film Studio. If there is any other sign of the deep respect held for Tony Curtis, it was the standing crowd—many attendees unable to get seats due to the high interest. It was said at the event that Tony Curtis’ life story is a true American success story, but it is also just as much a Hungarian one. It was a bridge between Hungary and the United States, the Old and the New World, the past and the future.
In a video message sent to the event, Oscar-winning daughter Jamie Lee Curtis stressed that her father was proud of his Hungarian heritage until the end of his life. She herself vowed to carry on her family’s story as a proud Hungarian. Mátészalka was not left out of the celebrations either. Andor Grósz, President of MAZSIHISZ, also spoke at the commemoration ceremony in the local synagogue.
The commemorative year will be rich in activities. The Hungarian Hollywood Council is organising a nationwide “Hungarian Hollywood” quiz for primary and secondary school students in more than 20 municipalities in Hungary where well-known Hollywood stars or their ancestors were born. It also aims to encourage young people’s interest in film through filmmaking camps.
Naturally, the “starring role” this year will be played by Tony Curtis.
At the end of September, for the second time, the Tony Curtis International Film Festival will be organised in partnership with Origo Film Studio and the Mátészalka Municipality, with Tony Curtis’ widow as the guest of honour.
The memory of Tony Curtis will live on…
And the memory of others, too, as it is symbolic that a book titled “Hollywood’s Famous Hungarians”, presenting 250 world-famous Hollywood Hungarians, was published on the 100th anniversary day. In 2018, the Hungarian Hollywood Council Association established the Tony Curtis Award in recognition of personalities who selflessly work to preserve and pass on film traditions to younger generations.
