UNLV will honor legendary film actor and accomplished artist Tony Curtis as he is inducted into the second annual Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Artemus Ham Concert Hall on the UNLV campus.
The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery also will host an exhibition of work by Curtis that will open following the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will run through September 24.
A true living legend and one of Hollywood 's greatest leading men, Curtis has starred in 106 motion pictures. He has shown his versatility and talent in classic Hollywood movies such as "The Boston Strangler," "Trapeze," "Spartacus," "The Great Race," "Sweet Smell of Success," and "The Defiant Ones" for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He may be best known for his starring role in "Some Like It Hot," named by the American Film Institute as the funniest movie of the past 100 years.
The Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV was founded to honor residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture.
"We are honored to recognize legendary actor Tony Curtis as the 2004 inductee into the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame," said UNLV president Carol Harter. "His remarkable career in film, television, and art truly distinguishes him as an extraordinary entertainer. He is a great friend to UNLV and the College of Fine Arts and frequently shares his experience, wisdom and advice with UNLV students."
Curtis is a great advocate and supporter of the College of Fine Arts . In 2001 he began speaking with students on a regular basis as part of the Celebrity Speaker Series and has graciously shared his artwork with UNLV gallery and museum visitors. He and his wife Jill regularly attend college events and last year helped launch the first Hall of Fame, inducting legendary director George Sidney.
"Mr. Curtis' extraordinary film career and his remarkable generosity with UNLV students has created a tremendous positive impact on Southern Nevada and UNLV," said Jeffrey Koep, dean of the College of Fine Arts . "It is our privilege to honor Tony Curtis for his contributions to film and to the education of young minds in the community."
Now an acclaimed artist, Curtis has had many major one-man exhibitions in the United States and his London debut exhibition sold out before it opened to the public. His work is on display at the Butler Institute of American Art, the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, The Toronto Museum, National Hungarian Museum , Harrods Department Store, Spago Restaurant, The Navy Memorial, The Mirage in Las Vegas , and the Caitlyn Gallery in St. Louis .
Tickets to the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV awards ceremony are $25 general admission, $10 for students and can be purchased by calling 895-ARTS (2787). The exhibit in the Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, located in the Alta Ham Fine Arts building, is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
