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He won his first serious recognition as a skilled dramatic actor in Sweet Smell of Success ( 1957 ) with co-star Burt Lancaster.

The following year he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in another drama, The Defiant Ones ( 1958 ).

Curtis then gave what many believe was his best acting, three interrelated roles in the comedy Some Like It Hot ( 1959 ).

Thomson calls it an " outrageous film ," and a survey carried out by the American Film Institute voted it the funniest American film ever made.

It costarred Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe, and was directed by Billy Wilder.

That was followed by Blake Edwards ’ comedy Operation Petticoat ( 1959 ) with Cary Grant.

They were both “ frantic comedies ,” and displayed " his impeccable comic timing.

" He often collaborated with Edwards on later films.

In 1960, he co-starred in Spartacus, which became another major hit for Curtis.