This lanky, down-to-earth leading lady, the daughter of film stars Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, made her film debut starring as a bookish suburban teen stalked in John Carpenter's landmark horror thriller, "Halloween" (1978), which--in the words of British film critic David Thomson--"drew on her iron-jawed air of integrity". Curtis' performance played an important role in making that film one of the most profitable ever made. Fittingly, she went on to star in a succession of films of that ilk ("The Fog", "Prom Night" and "Terror Train", all in 1980). Curtis reprised the role of Laurie Strode,
Raised by mother in Los Angeles after parents' 1962 divorce
1975
Moved East with mother
1976
Returned to California
1976
Was considering majoring in drama in college but left after a semester, wanting to get practical experience right away; put under contract by Universal
Made TV debut with guest appearances on "Columbo", "The Love Boat" and "The Nancy Drew Mysteries"
