William David Curtis

William was born in Liberty, New York to parents who were professional musicians and earned their living in part playing at summer resorts in the Catskill Mountains of New York. His mother, Sydell, was a pianist and singing teacher and his father, Harold, a tenor saxophonist. Sydell loved theater and steered young Billy Curtis—his stage name—towards a performing career. In 1960, he was cast in the role of a newsboy in the Broadway musical, Gypsy, which starred Ethel Merman [ibdb]. Although the acting chapter of his life ended when he was sixteen, William has remained a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and recently celebrated his sixtieth anniversary.