³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Sorry to hear about the death of Tony Curtis. I got the chance to meet him face to face a few years ago. I was asked to interview him on stage in the Ulster HallÌýwhen he came over for the Hay in Belfast festival. I had read his memoir "American Prince" and was struck by just how beautiful he had been as a young actor and also how many people he had slept with!!ÌýIt seemed no one was immune to the Curtis charms.

Just before the event started, I was shown into the dressing room to meet him. The small room was packed; his wife was there, her mum, his agent.Ìý And then suddenly the room was empty, as they all went to look at the stage and the ramp for his wheelchair.Ìý

He nodded to a chair beside him. I sat down, opposite a wall length mirrorÌýand for the next 10Ìýminutes we faced each other's reflections, not speaking.ÌýI had attempted to discuss the format of the interview but he just nodded and went back into what seemed like a semi trance. It was weirdly calming. Usually I babble in the presence of someone so famous. But he wouldn't entertain one word.

When he came out onto the stage of the Ulster Hall later, and I had said please welcome Tony Curtis, I was worried he wasn't Ìýgoing to say anything. But then a light went on in his eyes, and he literally danced out of the wheelchair and performed. In fact he started talking and after about 15 minutes turned to me and said "are you going to ask me anything?".Ìý His eyes were twinkling and you could see that Tony Curtis charm that had made Marilyn Monroe fall for him!

I'm so glad I met him. And, best of all, spent those moments in silence with him.