Jamie Lee Curtis (born 1958)

Actress

What is Jamie Lee Curtis (born 1958) known for?

Born in Santa Monica, California, on November 22, 1958, Jamie Lee Curtis has spectacularly graced our screens for years as an accomplished actress, producer, and author. Curtis is an alumna of the prestigious Beverly Hills High School of Beverly Hills, California.

As the youngest daughter of celebrated actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, her showbiz career was almost inevitable. She made her television debut in a 1977 episode of the NBC drama series Quincy, M.E., but her big break came a year later. Curtis made her film debut in John Carpenter's slasher film Halloween (1978), which was both a critical and commercial success. This role catapulted her to fame, earning her the title of 'scream queen' and leading to star roles in other horror films such as The Fog, Prom Night, and Terror Train. She reprised her role as Laurie Strode in six Halloween sequels, wrapping up her journey with the character in 2022's Halloween Ends.

Apart from her iconic status in horror, Curtis expanded her repertoire to include various genres, notably comedies. Some of her memorable performances include Trading Places (1983) - for which she received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress - and A Fish Called Wanda (1988), where she earned a nomination for BAFTA Best Actress.

Her ability to immerse herself in diverse roles earned Curtis multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Golden Globes. She also received nominations for a Primetime Emmy and a Grammy. Among her notable films are Freaky Friday (2003), Knives Out (2019), and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), with the latter earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Impressively, as of 2023, her films have grossed over $2.5 billion at the box office.

On the small screen, Curtis shined in ABC's sitcom Anything but Love (1989–1992), receiving a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Hannah Miller. Her performance in the television film Nicholas' Gift (1998) scored her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. She also starred in the Fox series Scream Queens (2015–2016) and chalked up her seventh Golden Globe nomination.

Besides her on-screen work, Curtis is a successful children's book author. One of her books, Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day (1998), made The New York Times best-seller list. She is married to British-American filmmaker Christopher Guest, and they have two adopted children.