Michael Curtiz.

Kertész Mihály Kaminer Manó

Michael Curtiz — Actor

Born 24 Dec 1886 Budapest, Austria-Hungary

Died 10 Apr 1962 Hollywood, United States

Citizenship Hungary

11 min read

Reading time

2,167

Words

Jun 15, 2026

Published

8

Film credits

1

Book

2

Awards

TL;DR

Michael Curtiz directed Casablanca 1942, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned him the Best Director Oscar. He directed more than 170 films, including Mildred Pierce 1945 and The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938. Six of his films were selected for the National Film Registry.

Identity & family.

KIN · 5

Names, aliases, and relatives of Michael Curtiz — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Kaminer Manó

Native Name Kertész Mihály

Nicknames Miska

Aliases Michael Courtice, Michael Kertesz, Mihaly Kertesz, Michael Kertész, Mihály Kertész

SPOUSES: Bess Meredyth Lili Damita Lucy Doraine
SIBLINGS: Gábor Kertész Dezső Kertész

At a glance.

STATS

Michael Curtiz by the numbers — life, work, and family.

75 Years lived

8 Film credits

1 Book

2 Awards

3 Marriages

Who was Michael Curtiz?

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Curtiz — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Selling sweets in a Budapest theatre gave Michael Curtiz his first exposure to the performing arts. Within a decade he was acting in films, and by 1912 he had directed Hungary’s first feature. Kaminer Manó, born in Budapest on December 24, 1886, adopted the name Kertész Mihály and later Michael Curtiz as he built his filmography across Europe.

His family faced tragedy: his father and brothers died in Auschwitz during the Holocaust; only his mother survived via help from Jack L. Warner. This loss shadowed his personal history, though he rarely spoke of it.

Career

After making over 60 films in Hungary, Austria, Germany, and other European countries, Curtiz moved to the US in 1926 and joined Warner Bros. He became a workhorse director, tackling nearly every genre. In 1938, he co-directed The Adventures of Robin Hood with William Keighley, a film nominated for Best Picture. The next year, Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942 saw James Cagney win an Oscar under his direction.

For Casablanca 1942, Curtiz won the Best Director Oscar, and the film won Best Picture. He followed with Mildred Pierce 1945, earning Joan Crawford her only Oscar. He directed ten actors in Oscar-nominated performances, including Humphrey Bogart, Paul Muni, and Ann Blyth.

Curtiz also directed Elvis Presley in King Creole 1958 and was set to direct G.I. Blues before it was reassigned. His final film was The Comancheros 1961, with John Wayne stepping in to direct parts when his health declined.

Personal life

Curtiz married three times: Lucy Doraine 1915-1923, Lili Damita 1925-1926, and Bess Meredyth 1929 until his death. He had one son, adopted in 1929, John Meredyth Lucas, who later became a producer. Though wealthy, he lived modestly; at his death he resided in a small Sherman Oaks apartment.

His thick Hungarian accent caused verbal slips on set, such as asking for a poodle meaning puddle during Casablanca. David Niven titled his memoir after one of Curtiz’s malapropisms: Bring On the Empty Horses.

His father, brother, and sisters died in Auschwitz; only his mother escaped to the US with help from Jack L. Warner.

Legacy

Six of Curtiz’s films have been selected for the National Film Registry, including Casablanca 1942, Mildred Pierce 1945, and White Christmas 1954. He directed twelve films with Errol Flynn and eight with Humphrey Bogart. The Running W incident during The Charge of the Light Brigade 1936 led to animal cruelty reforms after Flynn attacked Curtiz on set.

Curtiz won the Academy Award for Best Director for Casablanca and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His range across genres defined his career. Casablanca remains his most recognized film, landing in the National Film Registry.

Filmography.

FILMS · 8

Browse the complete filmography of Michael Curtiz — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948
TV

This Is Your Life

1952
Movie

It's a Great Feeling

1949
Movie

Show-Business at War

1943
Movie

Atlantis

1913
Movie

The Adventures of Errol Flynn

2005
Movie

Michael Curtiz: the Greatest Director You Never Heard Of

2012

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Michael Curtiz — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Academy Award for Best Director
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 1

Michael Curtiz's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

The Very Best Coaching and Review Course

by Michael Curtiz

Did you know?

FACTS · 30

Little-known facts about Michael Curtiz — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Distraction sometimes led to dangerous moments; once while driving, Curtiz fell out of a moving car because he wanted to write down an idea, injuring himself.
According to his adopted son John Meredyth Lucas, Curtiz spoke five languages — all of them poorly. His thick Hungarian accent frequently confused cast and crew, as when he asked for a poodle meaning a puddle of water during Casablanca.
Curtiz’s father, brother, and sisters died in Auschwitz. Only his mother came to the US thanks to Jack L. Warner, who helped her.
Doris Day was discovered by Curtiz at a Hollywood party. He cast her in Romance on the High Seas 1948 after Betty Hutton dropped out due to pregnancy.
Curtiz directed ten actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Paul Muni, John Garfield, James Cagney, Walter Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Eve Arden, and William Powell. Cagney and Crawford won Oscars for their roles in his films.
A guest house built by Curtiz in 1934, later owned by Jodie Foster, was put up for sale in 1995 for $1.1 million. It is modeled after Cotswold cottages in England.
Despite his great wealth, Curtiz lived modestly. At his death, he occupied a small apartment at 14155 Magnolia Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Six of Curtiz’s films have been selected for the National Film Registry: The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938, Angels with Dirty Faces 1938, Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942, Casablanca 1942, Mildred Pierce 1945, and White Christmas 1954.
Curtiz’s most fruitful collaborations were with Errol Flynn 12 films and Humphrey Bogart 8 films. He and Flynn despised each other.
Though he made 12 films with Errol Flynn, they fought constantly on set. Ironically, Curtiz was briefly married to Flynn’s first wife Lili Damita.
After directing Elvis Presley in King Creole 1958, Curtiz was set to direct G.I. Blues 1960 but the film was eventually directed by Norman Taurog for unknown reasons.
Curtiz was originally assigned to direct Adventures of Don Juan 1948 but after a falling-out with Errol Flynn, Vincent Sherman took over.
Curtiz fought in the Hungarian army during World War I.
Along with ten other directors, Curtiz had more than one film nominated for Best Picture in the same year: The Adventures of Robin Hood and Four Daughters both received nods at the 11th Academy Awards in 1939.
Curtiz never ate lunch while working, explaining that it disturbed the pace of work.
Seven of Curtiz’s films were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Captain Blood 1935, Anthony Adverse 1936 uncredited, The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938, Four Daughters 1938, Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942, Casablanca 1942, and Mildred Pierce 1945. Casablanca won.
During The Charge of the Light Brigade 1936, Curtiz used the Running W device, which killed approximately 25 horses in a single shot. This outraged Errol Flynn, who attacked Curtiz and went public, leading to animal cruelty reforms on Hollywood sets.
In 1946, Curtiz was invited by Frank Capra, George Stevens, and William Wyler to join Liberty Pictures. Jack L. Warner granted him semi-independence, but after lukewarm features like Flamingo Road 1949, he returned to Warners full time.
Curtiz adopted his son, John Meredyth Lucas, in 1929 when the boy was ten years old.
Curtiz is interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA, in the Whispering Pines section.
His last film was The Comancheros 1961 starring John Wayne. Seriously ill with cancer, Curtiz often could not work; Wayne directed much of the picture himself but refused credit.
When Curtiz arrived in America on July 5, a band played and bunting flew, but he thought the celebration was for him — it was actually for Independence Day.
After Nunnally Johnson bowed out, 20th Century-Fox began negotiations with Curtiz to direct Flaming Star 1960, but Don Siegel eventually got the job. Curtiz had previously directed Presley in King Creole.
Curtiz was at one point attached to direct Serenade 1956, which Anthony Mann eventually directed.
Jack Warner recruited Curtiz during a trip to Europe in 1925.
Curtiz started his career as a sweets seller in a Budapest theatre and began acting in films before he was 20.
In 1912, he directed and starred in Hungary’s first film. By 1925, he had made over 60 films in Hungary, Sweden, Germany, France, and Austria.
Curtiz was the older brother of assistant director David Curtiz.
A biography of Curtiz appears in John Wakeman’s World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945, pages 172-181.
Curtiz was the older brother of Gabriel Curtiz.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 34

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Michael Curtiz.

When was Michael Curtiz born?

Michael Curtiz was born on December 24, 1886. He was born in Budapest, which was then part of Austria-Hungary.
Where was Michael Curtiz born?

Michael Curtiz was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, which is now the capital of Hungary.
When did Michael Curtiz die?

Michael Curtiz died on April 10, 1962. He was 75 years old at the time of his death.
Where did Michael Curtiz die?

Michael Curtiz died in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. He passed away from cancer.
How did Michael Curtiz die?

Michael Curtiz died from cancer. He passed away on April 10, 1962, in Hollywood, California.
How old was Michael Curtiz when he died?

Michael Curtiz was 75 years old when he died on April 10, 1962. He was born on December 24, 1886.
What was Michael Curtiz's birth name?

Michael Curtiz was born as Kaminer Manó. His native Hungarian name was Kertész Mihály.
What is Michael Curtiz's name in his native language?

In his native Hungarian, Michael Curtiz’s name is Kertész Mihály. He also used the alias Michael Kertesz and other variations.
What was Michael Curtiz's profession?

Michael Curtiz was a director, writer, and actor. He is best known for his work as a director in Hollywood.
What nationality was Michael Curtiz?

Michael Curtiz was Hungarian. He was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, and his native language was Hungarian.
What language did Michael Curtiz speak?

Michael Curtiz spoke Hungarian as his native language. He also spoke several other languages, but with a thick accent.
Who was Michael Curtiz married to?

Michael Curtiz was married three times: to Lucy Doraine from 1915 to 1923, to Lili Damita from 1925 to 1926, and to Bess Meredyth from 1929 until his death in 1962.
Did Michael Curtiz have any siblings?

Yes, Michael Curtiz had siblings: a brother named Gábor Kertész and another brother named Dezső Kertész. His father and brother died in Auschwitz.
What awards did Michael Curtiz win?

Michael Curtiz won the Academy Award for Best Director for Casablanca 1942. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
How many awards did Michael Curtiz win?

Michael Curtiz won at least two major awards: the Academy Award for Best Director and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also received multiple nominations.
What is Michael Curtiz best known for?

Michael Curtiz is best known for directing the classic film Casablanca 1942. He also directed Mildred Pierce 1945 and The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938.
How tall was Michael Curtiz?

Michael Curtiz was 5 feet 9 inches tall, which is approximately 1.75 meters.
Why was Michael Curtiz nicknamed Miska?

Miska is a Hungarian diminutive form of Mihály, which is part of his native name Kertész Mihály. It was a common nickname for him.
Why did Michael Curtiz use multiple aliases?

Michael Curtiz used aliases such as Michael Courtice, Michael Kertesz, and Mihály Kertész, especially during his early career in Europe. The various spellings helped him adapt to different film industries.
Did Michael Curtiz have children?

Michael Curtiz had one adopted son, John Meredyth Lucas, whom he adopted in 1929 when the boy was ten years old. Lucas later became a producer.
How many films did Michael Curtiz direct?

Michael Curtiz directed over 170 films in his career. By 1925, he had already made more than 60 films in European countries.
Which actor did Michael Curtiz collaborate with most often?

Michael Curtiz collaborated most often with Errol Flynn, directing him in 12 films. He also directed Humphrey Bogart in eight films.
Did Michael Curtiz serve in World War I?

Yes, Michael Curtiz served in the Hungarian army during World War I. He fought in the war before resuming his filmmaking career.
What was Michael Curtiz's last film?

Michael Curtiz’s last film was The Comancheros 1961, starring John Wayne. Due to his battle with cancer, Wayne directed parts of the film without taking credit.
What is the Running W incident?

During the filming of The Charge of the Light Brigade 1936, Curtiz used a device called the Running W that killed approximately 25 horses in a single shot. This outraged Errol Flynn and led to reforms in animal treatment on sets.
How did Michael Curtiz's verbal slips become famous?

Curtiz’s thick Hungarian accent caused many malapropisms, such as asking for a poodle when he meant a puddle of water. David Niven used one of his slips, Bring On the Empty Horses, as the title of his memoir.
Which of Michael Curtiz's films are in the National Film Registry?

Six of Michael Curtiz’s films have been selected for the National Film Registry: The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938, Angels with Dirty Faces 1938, Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942, Casablanca 1942, Mildred Pierce 1945, and White Christmas 1954.
Did Michael Curtiz win an Oscar?

Yes, Michael Curtiz won the Academy Award for Best Director for Casablanca 1942. He also directed the Best Picture winner that year.
How many Oscar-nominated performances did Michael Curtiz direct?

Michael Curtiz directed ten actors in Oscar-nominated performances, including James Cagney and Joan Crawford who won Oscars for their roles in his films.
Was Michael Curtiz wealthy?

Despite his success, Michael Curtiz lived modestly. At his death, he resided in a small apartment in Sherman Oaks, California, not a luxurious mansion.
Where is Michael Curtiz buried?

Michael Curtiz is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, in the Whispering Pines section.
Did Michael Curtiz discover Doris Day?

Yes, Michael Curtiz discovered Doris Day when he heard her sing at a Hollywood party. He cast her in Romance on the High Seas 1948, launching her film career.
How did Michael Curtiz treat his actors?

Curtiz was known for his demanding nature and intense focus. He often clashed with actors, particularly Errol Flynn, though many delivered acclaimed performances under his direction.
Why did Michael Curtiz leave Warner Bros. briefly?

In 1946, Curtiz was invited to join Liberty Pictures for more autonomy, but Jack L. Warner granted him semi-independence within Warners. After a few lukewarm films, he returned to full-time work at the studio.

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Published on June 15, 2026

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