Jamie Lee Curtis, an Oscar-winning actress, recently highlighted her admiration for select films and television shows, reflecting on both her own Jamie Lee Curtis awards and the legacy of her acclaimed family. With roots tracing back to her parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh – both Academy Award nominees – she continues to make waves in Hollywood, notably for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
From Oscar Triumph to a Resurgent Career
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once revived widespread attention after a quieter period following her early success. Despite initially struggling to grasp the complex screenplay by Daniels, she connected immediately with her tax office character, Deirdre Beaubeirdre. This film marked a turning point, reigniting a career that started with John Carpenter’s iconic Halloween in the late 1970s and gained momentum again with the 2018 Halloween reboot and Rian Johnson’s Knives Out in 2019.
Family Heritage and Cinematic Influences
Curtis’s deep passion for cinema is shaped not only by her own achievements but also by the remarkable film history connected to her family. She has expressed admiration for classics, including her father’s 1957 thriller The Sweet Smell of Success as well as contemporary award-winning movies such as 2024’s Anora.
Her Choice of Perfect Films
When naming her favorite films, Curtis praised Francis Ford Coppola’s work emphatically, emphasizing two titles as flawless pieces of cinema:
“The Godfather is a perfect movie. The Godfather, Part II is a perfect movie.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis
Distinguished TV Shows That Stand Out
Shifting focus to television, she identified two acclaimed series related to the same storytelling universe, ultimately selecting one as her top pick. Curtis said,
“Breaking Bad is a perfect television show. Better Call Saul is a perfect show. But I have to pick one, so I’m going with Better Call Saul.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis
She further elaborated on her choice, noting the qualities that make Better Call Saul exceptional:
“It’s the combo platter of originality, writing, storytelling, character development, tension, mystery and incredibly beautiful visuals. Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, even though that character was invented in Breaking Bad, [he] is clearly one of the greatest television characters ever.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis
Better Call Saul, a prequel and spin-off created by Vince Gilligan and starring Bob Odenkirk alongside Rhea Seehorn, matches the acclaim of Breaking Bad. Over its six-season run, it received 53 Emmy nominations, setting a record for the most nominations without a win, and has garnered praise as a rare spin-off that rivals its original.
Recent Projects and Continuing Success
Jamie Lee Curtis recently delivered another well-received performance in Pamela Anderson’s The Last Showgirl. She is also featured in the John Turturro film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, which serves as a tribute to the city’s rich history. The film portrays a lifelong petty thief, played by Turturro, compelled to pull off a final heist, echoing themes of legacy and redemption.
As Jamie Lee Curtis continues to evolve as an actress and honors the legacies of her family and admired filmmakers, her selections highlight her thoughtful engagement with the art of cinema and television, while her recent accolades and projects suggest even greater achievements lie ahead.
