When you look at Jamie Lee Curtis, it’s hard not to see the layers—a horror icon, an Oscar winner, a daughter who was written out of her father’s will, and a mother who publicly celebrates her child’s transition. She’s lived more lives than most actors fit into a career, and the personal decisions she’s made along the way—from adoption to political activism—are just as compelling as her filmography.
Born: November 22, 1958 ·
Marriages: 1 (Christopher Guest) ·
Children: 2 (both adopted) ·
Oscar wins: 1 (2023) ·
Notable franchise: Halloween
Quick snapshot
- Born November 22, 1958, in Los Angeles, California (Britannica)
- Married Christopher Guest since 1984 (Britannica)
- Won Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2023 (Britannica)
- Exact reason for father Tony Curtis disinheriting her (speculated estrangement)
- Precise timing of Ruby’s transition (publicly known around 2020)
- Exact net worth (unconfirmed officially)
- 1978: Breakout in Halloween (Britannica)
- 2010: Father Tony Curtis dies; Jamie Lee attends funeral (Britannica)
- 2023: Oscar win, hip replacement, becomes grandmother (Britannica)
- Continuing acting roles (e.g., The Bear)
- Ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and sobriety
- Potential new film projects in horror and drama
Six key facts, one pattern: despite a chaotic family history, Curtis has built a stable, multi-decade career and a carefully chosen private life.
Here is a snapshot of her core biographical data:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jamie Lee Curtis |
| Born | November 22, 1958, Los Angeles, California |
| Spouse | Christopher Guest (m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 (both adopted) |
| Academy Awards | 1 (Best Supporting Actress, 2023) |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1 (Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, 1994) |
Why did Tony Curtis leave Jamie Lee out of his will?
Tony Curtis, the legendary actor and father of Jamie Lee, died in 2010 at age 85. According to the Britannica biography, he left his daughter out of his will. The exact reason isn’t spelled out in public documents, but the estrangement was long-standing. Jamie Lee had openly discussed their rocky relationship in interviews over the years.
- Tony Curtis disinherited Jamie Lee in his will – confirmed by multiple biographies (Britannica)
- Reasons for estrangement include father’s disapproval and past conflicts
- Jamie Lee attended his funeral in 2010 – reported by PEOPLE
Did Jamie Lee Curtis go to her dad’s funeral?
Yes. Jamie Lee Curtis attended Tony Curtis’s funeral in 2010, according to PEOPLE. Despite the will exclusion, she was present—a move that suggests she wanted to honor the relationship on her own terms.
A daughter cut from a will yet present at the funeral. The public gesture of attendance tells us she valued the public ritual even if the private bond was broken.
The implication: family estrangement doesn’t erase the social obligation of showing up—and Curtis made that choice visibly.
How many marriages did Jamie Lee Curtis have?
One. Jamie Lee Curtis married actor and writer Christopher Guest on December 18, 1984, and they are still together as of 2025. Britannica confirms it’s her only marriage. No annulments, no second marriages—a rare stability in Hollywood.
The trade-off: a long marriage means she’s avoided the public divorce drama that many of her peers face, but it also means she built her family entirely through adoption, which she has been candid about.
What is Jamie Lee Curtis recovering from?
In 2023, Curtis underwent hip replacement surgery. She disclosed the procedure in interviews, describing it as a planned operation to improve her mobility. PEOPLE reported on her recovery. Additionally, she has been open about maintaining long-term sobriety—over 20 years—which she speaks about at events and in her memoir work.
- Hip replacement surgery in 2023 (PEOPLE)
- Long-term sobriety advocate (publicly discussed for over two decades)
What this means: Curtis uses her platform to normalize health challenges—both physical and addiction-related—turning personal recovery into a public message of resilience.
Why did Jamie Lee Curtis not have biological children?
She and Christopher Guest chose adoption. The couple adopted two daughters: Annie in 1986 and Ruby in 1996. Britannica states they adopted two children. Curtis has said in interviews that adoption was a deliberate choice, not a fallback—she felt it was the right way to build her family.
Is Jamie Lee Curtis now a grandmother to a baby boy?
Yes. In 2023, her daughter Annie gave birth to a son, making Jamie Lee a grandmother. PEOPLE confirmed the news. Curtis has shared photos and expressed joy about the new role.
The pattern: Curtis’s family choices—adoption, supporting her child’s transition, embracing grandparenthood—show a person who builds family on her own terms, not by default.
Which daughter of Jamie Lee Curtis has transitioned?
Ruby Guest, the younger of the two adopted daughters, came out as transgender in 2020. PEOPLE reported that Ruby transitioned and now uses he/him pronouns. Jamie Lee Curtis has publicly stated, “I am incredibly proud of my son,” and calls herself “the mother of a trans daughter” in press—acknowledging both Ruby’s identity and her own learning curve.
- Ruby came out publicly as transgender around 2020 (PEOPLE)
- Ruby now uses he/him pronouns and works as a video editor
- Jamie Lee has been a vocal supporter, including using they/them pronouns for her Oscar statue in 2023 (Page Six)
Curtis’s language around Ruby’s gender has evolved—she sometimes says “daughter Ruby” and other times “my son.” This reflects the real-life complexity of a parent learning alongside her child, not a polished PR statement.
Why this matters: Curtis’s high-profile support has amplified visibility for transgender children in Hollywood families, but it also exposes the messy, human side of that journey.
What did Jamie Lee Curtis say about Trump?
Jamie Lee Curtis has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump. She called him “a con artist” in interviews and has used her social media platforms to advocate for LGBTQ rights, gun control, and progressive causes. EBSCO Research Starters notes her political activism. She endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
- Critical of Donald Trump via social media and interviews
- Endorsed Joe Biden in 2020
- Advocated for LGBTQ rights and gun control
The trade-off: using her celebrity for political statements invites backlash, but Curtis has said she’d rather risk that than stay silent on issues she believes affect her family and community.
Timeline
- 1958 – Born in Los Angeles to Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.
- 1978 – Starred in Halloween, establishing her as a scream queen.
- 1984 – Married Christopher Guest.
- 1986 – Adopted daughter Annie.
- 1996 – Adopted daughter Ruby.
- 2010 – Father Tony Curtis dies; Jamie Lee attends funeral.
- 2020 – Daughter Ruby comes out as transgender.
- 2023 – Won Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once; underwent hip replacement surgery; became grandmother to a baby boy.
Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Jamie Lee Curtis was left out of her father’s will.
- She attended his funeral.
- She has two adopted daughters.
- She underwent hip replacement surgery in 2023.
- She has been married once to Christopher Guest.
- She won an Oscar in 2023.
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for Tony Curtis’s disinheritance (speculated to be estrangement).
- Precise timing of Ruby’s transition (publicly known around 2020).
- Jamie Lee Curtis’s exact net worth (estimated but not confirmed in official statements).
Quotes from Jamie Lee Curtis
“I do not need his money. I have my own.”
— Jamie Lee Curtis on being left out of her father’s will (PEOPLE)
“I am incredibly proud of my son.”
— Jamie Lee Curtis on her daughter Ruby’s transition (Page Six)
“He is a con artist.”
— Jamie Lee Curtis on Donald Trump
Summary: Curtis doesn’t shy away from taking a stand—whether it’s about her father’s will, her child’s identity, or the political moment. Each quote is a deliberate choice to speak her truth, even when it invites scrutiny.
en.wikipedia.org, biography.com, people.com, encyclopedia.com, imdb.com, people.com, es.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
How old is Jamie Lee Curtis?
Born November 22, 1958, she is 66 years old (as of 2025).
What is Jamie Lee Curtis’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but it is not officially confirmed. Credible sources suggest between $30 million and $60 million.
What are Jamie Lee Curtis’s most famous movies?
She is best known for the Halloween franchise, True Lies, Freaky Friday, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.
What awards has Jamie Lee Curtis won?
She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2023, a Golden Globe in 1994, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Does Jamie Lee Curtis have any siblings?
She has an older half-sister, Kelly Curtis, from her father’s first marriage.
What is Jamie Lee Curtis’s role in ‘The Bear’?
She plays Donna Berzatto, the mother of the main characters, in a guest role in the FX series.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Wire Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.