Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, was beginning her rise to stardom in 1978 when photographer Ron Galella captured her in a series of stunning portraits. These photographs, taken at the Celebrity Ball – Atlantic City at Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, showcase Curtis at the cusp of her breakthrough into Hollywood.
In the photos, Curtis appears fresh-faced and youthful, with her trademark short haircut and a hint of a smile playing across her lips. Wearing a simple black dress, she exudes a quiet confidence and elegance that belies her relative inexperience in the entertainment industry.
Galella’s skill as a photographer is evident in these portraits, which capture not only Curtis’s physical beauty but also the depth and complexity of her personality. She appears thoughtful and reflective in one image, her eyes downcast as if lost in thought. In another, she looks directly at the camera with a hint of mischief, as if she knows a secret that the viewer doesn’t.
These portraits offer a glimpse into the early years of one of Hollywood’s most enduring and beloved actresses. Curtis would go on to become a household name, starring in iconic films like “Halloween,” “Trading Places,” and “True Lies,” and earning critical acclaim for her work in films like “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Freaky Friday.” But in these photographs, we see her before all that – a young woman on the brink of greatness, full of potential and promise.
