Dick Curtis

Richard Dye (May 11, 1902 – January 3, 1952), known professionally as Dick Curtis, was an American actor who made over 230 film and television appearances during his career.

For the boxer, see Dick Curtis (boxer). For the Irish Gaelic footballer, see Dick Curtis (Gaelic footballer).
Dick Curtis
Born
Richard Dye

(1902-05-11)May 11, 1902
Newport, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJanuary 3, 1952(1952-01-03) (aged 49)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Years active1919-1952
Spouse(s)Ruth Sullivan (1925-1952; his death)
ChildrenJohn (1929-2004)
Phyllis (1936-1961)

Early years

Curtis was born in Newport, Kentucky, the son of Frank Dye and Elizabeth Faulkner Dye.[1]

Career

After having limited work in Hollywood, Curtis acted on stage in New York and toured in a variety of productions from 1926 to 1930.[2]

Standing at 6' 3", Curtis appeared in films stretching from Charles Starrett to The Three Stooges. In most of his films, he played villains or heavies. He made television appearances on The Lone Ranger and The Range Rider. He appeared in California Gold Rush, Spook Town, The Gene Autry Show, and many others.

Though his forte was in villainous roles, Curtis had a genuine comedic touch. As such, modern audiences will recognize Curtis for his roles in such Three Stooges films as Yes, We Have No Bonanza, You Nazty Spy!, and The Three Troubledoers.

Pioneertown

With the help of his friend and actor Russell Hayden, Curtis helped develop Pioneertown, a western movie set location in Southern California that was used for many television and film westerns. The project was done in partnership with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.[1]

Personal life

Curtis was married to silent-film actress Ruth Sullivan, who survived him.[1]

Death

Curtis died at age 49 of pneumonia brought on by lung cancer. Curtis’s final appearance with the Stooges was as Shemp Howard's dental patient in The Tooth Will Out, filmed in February 1951.[3]

He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.[1]

Selected filmography

References
  1. Tenkotte, Paul A.; Claypool, James C. (2015). The Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky. p. 253. ISBN 9780813159966. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  2. Mayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. p. 85. ISBN 9780786477623. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  3. Pauley, Jim (2012). The Three Stooges Hollywood Filming Locations. Solana Beach, California: Santa Monica Press, LLC. p. 288. ISBN 9781595800701.
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