Lee Van Cleef

Lee Van Cleef was born on January 9, 1925, in the small town of Lynwood, California. After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he read for a part in Our Town at the Little Theater Group in Clinton, New Jersey and received his first stage role. He quickly became a sought-after actor, landing major roles in films such as High Noon and Mister Roberts. Van Cleef's screen debut came in High Noon, where he played the silent gunslinger Jack Colby. From then on, he was mostly cast in villainous roles, due to his striking features and piercing eyes. His most famous role was that of Tuco Salamanca in Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Lee Van Cleef died on December 16, 1989, at the age of 64.