This Girl Became a Star – The ‘Product of 13 Divorces,’ Her Dad Left Her Mom for 17-Year-Old Actress

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were one of the biggest celebrity couples of the ’60s. However, their marriage is often remembered for the bitterness and hatred that plagued their final years together.

Hollywood is a community of glamor and style. A huge part of the flamboyant culture of the movie industry is the romance between some of its top stars.

However, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were the true Jack and Rose of the ’60s. The couple defied all odds to be together, including staking their careers, but the end was far from perfect, and they soon got a divorce.

Tony Curtis at the Dorchester Hotel, in London, England, circa 1957 | Source: Getty Images

GIVING BIRTH TO JAMIE LEE CURTIS WAS A FINAL ATTEMPT AT PEACE

Tony Curtis was famous for his flamboyance as much as his talent. Tony was among the celebrities who characterized what it meant to be a superstar actor in a stylish and charming manner.

Tony, like other A-listers, has been associated with a number of women during his life and has had multiple marriages, but each was a failure. However, his romance with Leigh was one of the most remarkable things in his life.

The attractive couple was the center of attention throughout their time together, and their relationship even flowed over into their professional lives, as they appeared in five movies together.

Promotional portrait of American actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis for the movie Strictly for Pleasure directed by Blake Edwards | Source: Getty Images

Leigh’s fame was already established when she met her future husband, Tony, at a publicity party in the 1950s. It was a few years after her breakthrough role in the late ’40s. She was beautiful and had a reputation for her pitch in movies.

The actress was more popular than Tony by the time they met. She had appeared in successful movies such as “The Romance of Rosy Ridge” and “Little Women.” but Tony was yet to have his big break.

Things progressed quickly for the couple, and they fell in love. Despite the many obstacles they faced, the couple tied the knot, and many expected things to last forever, but things went sour as quickly as they began.

American actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh smile at their daughter, Kelly Lee | Source: Getty Images

After welcoming their first child, Kelly, the couple realized their love had lost its spark. Later on, they welcomed their daughter Jamie in a bid to save what was left of their union. Jamie later described herself as a “save-the-marriage baby.” However, her parents still went on to divorce despite her arrival.

Speaking of her experience with her embattled parents, Jamie said, “By the time I came along… my parents’ bond had deteriorated precipitously as their stardom grew. And like any other save-the-marriage baby, I failed.” Tony filed for divorce in 1962. Leaving his family divided.

TONY AND LEIGH’S STORY

Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis posing with child in publicity portrait for the film 'The Perfect Furlough', circa 1958 | Source: Getty Images

Leigh had always had the affection of both fans and co-stars. By the time she met Tony, she was already in league with the high powers of Hollywood. Hollywood tycoon Howard Huges was one of the names backing her career. Hughes was romantically interested in Leigh, but she did not seem to share in his interest.

Her heart was already given to Tony. Both stars were seriously in love with each other and enjoyed an intense physical relationship. The duo was willing to cross any hurdle that would fight their love, even if it meant despising the people who backed their career.

Married American actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh on a carousel, circa 1955 | Source: Getty Images

Like Leigh, Tony’s love for the actress was equally tested by Universal’s huge offer of ten thousand dollars to wed co-star Piper Laurie. The union was seen as a much-needed boost for his career. However, money could not take him away from his heartthrob.

Tony became a familiar figure on most of Leigh’s film sets, and their relationship soon became public news. Universal grew more concerned over Tony’s affair with a rival actress and hoped he would side with them by marrying Laurie.

Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh at 25th Annual Academy Awards on March 19, 1953 | Source: Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Angelina Jolie through the years: The star’s life in photos

Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight

Angelina Jolie has lived her whole life in front of the spotlight. She was born to father, Jon Voight, and mother, Marcheline Bertrand in 1975. Now, on her 46th birthday, see her evolution through the years in the limelight.

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Jaime Haven Voight, Angelina Jolie, and Jon Voight

Jolie clings tight to father, Jon Voight, in 1980.

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Angelina Jolie, James Haven and Jon Voight

Angelina Jolie, Jamie Haven and Jon Voight attend the Academy Awards in 1986.

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Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, and James Haven

Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, and Jamie Haven at the 60th Academy Awards.

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Angelina Jolie

Jolie starts life in front of the camera while modeling a bikini in 1991.

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Angelina Jolie

Jolie attends the premiere of “Wallace” in 1997.

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Jolie at the premiere of “Gia” in 1998.

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Jolie goes blonde for the SAG Awards in 1999.

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Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton get close at the “Gone in 60 Seconds” premiere. The two were married from 2000 to 2003.

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Angelina Jolie

Jolie smolders in a beige dress at the “Taking Lives” premiere in 2004.

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Jolie out with baby Maddox in 2003.

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Jolie arrives to the Venice Film Festival in 2004.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Jolie beams next to Brad Pitt at the premiere of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” in 20o5. The two began their relationship while filming the movie while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston.

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Angelina Jolie

Jolie films “Life or Something Like It” with a platinum blond wig.

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Pitt and Jolie attend the premiere of “God Grew Tired Of Us” in 2007.

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Angelina Jolie steps out with Maddox and Shiloh

Jolie steps out with Maddox and Shiloh in 2007.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie steps onto the red carpet while pregnant in 2008.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Pitt and Jolie attend the SAG Awards in 2009.

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Angelina Jolie and her children

Jolie out with her children in 2011.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Jolie showing off some leg at the Academy Awards in 2012.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Pitt and Jolie attend the “Maleficent” premiere in 2014. The two filed for divorce in 2016.

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Pax Jolie-Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Pax Jolie-Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the Netflix Golden Globes in 2018.

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Angelina Jolie attends the "Maleficent" premiere with her kids, Vivienne, Zahara, Shiloh and Knox in 2019.

Angelina Jolie attends the “Maleficent” premiere with her kids, Vivienne, Zahara, Shiloh and Knox in 2019.

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Angelina Jolie and Vivienne

Jolie beams with her daughter, Vivenne, in 2020. While Jolie hasn’t acted in a movie since 2019’s Maleficent, she has stayed in the spotlight as her custody battle with ex, Brad Pitt, rages on.

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