Ever since Jamie Lee Curtis’ screen debut as Laurie Strode in 1978’s cult classic, Halloween, she has been a beloved character in a plethora of movies throughout the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s. Curtis is an accomplished producer, author of many well-received children’s books, podcasts and 2022 graphic novel, Mother Nature — the multi-talented Curtis revels in the busyness of life.    

Curtis is the youngest daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She has been married to actor Christopher Guest for almost 40 years and they share two children.  Known for her performances in the horror and slasher genres (she is regarded as a scream queen), Curtis also is adept at comedies. Over the years, Curtis has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, British Academy Film Award and two Golden Globes as well as nominations for a Primetime Emmy and a Grammy. 

Here is a look at Jamie Lee Curtis through her body of work.

Halloween (1978)

This was Curtis’ film debut in the John Carpenter classic. She was cast because her mother had been known as a horror icon due to her performance in “Psycho”. Curtis would reprise Laurie Strode in the sequels: Halloween II (1981), Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022). “I wear my Halloween pin with great pride. I tried very hard through 22 years of making movies to always hold up Halloween and say `you know, it was the best experience I’d ever had up.”   

The Fog (1980)

Also directed by Carpenter, the film solidified Curtis as a horror film star. Her mom, Janet Leigh, also appeared in the film.