Curtis or Curtiss is a common given name and surname of English origin derived from the Old French "curteis," which means 'polite, courteous, or well-bred.' It's related with the Spanish and Portuguese surname Cortes. It was brought to England (and subsequently, the rest of the Isles) via the Norman Conquest. This is evidence to suggest the name itself is a phonetic corruption of Curthose, the nickname ascribed to Robert II or also Curtmantle, the surname used by Henry II, the first of England's Plantagenet kings. It could also be a variation of the established medieval surname, Curthoys. Though it is unclear whether "Curtis" and "Curtiss" are directly related, the latter is also considered here for convenience.

Curtis Ousley (February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. He was adopted, alongside with his adopted sister, Josephine Ousley Allen. They both grew up in Texas, together. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer. Adept at tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, he was best known for his distinctive riffs and solos such as on "Yakety Yak", which later became the inspiration for Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" and his own "Memphis Soul Stew".

King Curtis started playing saxophone at the age of twelve in the Fort Worth area. Josephine, took interest in him, knowing that she was also into music and singing as well. He took interest in many musical genres including jazz, rhythm and blues, and popular music. As a student pursuing music he turned down college scholarships in order to join the Lionel Hampton Band. During his time with Lionel Hampton he was able to write and arrange music and learn guitar. In 1952 Curtis decided to move to New York and became a session musician, recording for such labels as Prestige, Enjoy, Capitol, and Atco. He recorded with Nat Adderley and Wynton Kelly,Buddy Holly and Andy Williams.

Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an African-American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious African-American music. He was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums. Curtis Mayfield is a winner of both the Grammy Legend Award (in 1994) and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (in 1995), and was a double inductee into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted as a member of The Impressions into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and again in 1999 as a solo artist. He is also a two-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.

Born on June 3, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, Mayfield was the son of Marion Washington and Kenneth Mayfield. Mayfield's father left the family when Mayfield was five and his mother moved Curtis and his siblings into various Chicago projects before settling at the Cabrini–Green projects when Mayfield reached his teenage years. Mayfield attended Wells Community Academy High School. He dropped out of high school early to become lead singer and songwriter for The Impressions, then went on to a successful solo career. Perhaps most notably, Mayfield was among the first of a new wave of mainstream African-American R&B performing artists and composers injecting social commentary into their work. This "message music" became extremely popular during the 1960s and 1970s.

Anne Marie Ojales Curtis-Smith, also known as Anne Curtis-Smith (born on 17 February 1985 in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia) is a Filipino/Spanish-Australian, of British descent^{[citation needed]}actress, model, television host, singer, fashion icon, recording artist and VJ, currently active in the Philippines.

Born Anne Curtis, she is the eldest daughter of Carmen Ojales, a Filipina and James Curtis-Smith, an Australian lawyer. She was discovered while on vacation in the Philippines at the age of 12 which made her visit permanent.

Anne Curtis was born in Yarrawongga, Australia. Annually, her family visits the Philippines to see their mother's relatives. However, in 1997, her visit became permanent as she was approached while eating in a fast-food restaurant and was asked if she is interested in modeling. Within a week or so, Curtis bagged her first commercial. Because of this, she and her dad decided to move in the Philippines. She did her 7th grade in Colegio de Sta. Rita, and because she was not able to speak Filipino fluently, she had special Filipino classes. Her first movie was Magic Kingdom, where she played a princess. After this, she appeared in several supporting roles in GMA Network's shows. Some of the shows were T.G.I.S., Ikaw Na Sana and the long-running situational comedy series Beh Bote Nga

Virgilio Hilario, Jr. (born August 11, 1976), better known by his stage name Jhong Hilario, is a Filipino actor and dancer. He is part of the dance group Streetboys in the Philippines.

As an actor, Hilario has acted in movies such as "Muro Ami", released in 1999, in which he portrayed Butong, "D' Anothers"(2005), and "Dekada '70"(2002).

Hilario started his career in 1993 as a member of the dance group Streetboys. He made his debut as an actor in 1996.