THE MUCH-LOVED Hollywood actor Tony Curtis, star of such classics as ‘Some Like It Hot’ and ‘Spartacus’, has died at 85 – marking the end of the modern era’s lasting link to the era of Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.

The Nevada County Clerk said that Curtis had died at 9:25pm local time, 5:25am Irish time, after a cardiac arrest.

Born Bernard Schwartz in the Bronx in 1925, Curtis – known for his good looks and legendary modesty – starred in 1950s classics like ‘The Defiant Ones’, ‘The Sweet Smell Of Success’, and ‘Operation Petticoat’, though it was his gender-bending role opposite Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in ‘Some Like It Hot’ that brought him to international acclaim.

Over his sixty years on the silver screen he had worked with practically all of Tinseltown’s biggest names, and had been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the racial parable ‘The Defiant Ones’, in which he starred as a racist escaped prisoner chained to Sydney Poitier.

He was married six times, and had six children – one of whom, Jamie Lee, is a Hollywood star in her own right.

In a statement, the latter said Tony left behind “a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings and assemblages. He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world.”

Sir Roger Moore, who worked with Curtis on 1970s TV action adventure series ‘The Persuaders!’, described Curtis as a “fine actor” who was “great fun to work with, a great sense of humour and wonderful ad libs.”

Curtis is survived by his sixth wife, Jill Vandenberg Curtis, and five of his six children.