Lee Van Cleef
Born
January 9, 1925 (age 64)
Died
December 16, 1989
Birthplace
Somerville, New Jersey, USA

Lee Van Cleef

Clarence LeRoy "Lee" Van Cleef Jr. (January 9, 1925 – December 16, 1989) was an American actor best known for his roles in Spaghetti Westerns such as For A Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Hatchet-faced with piercing eyes, he had declined to have his nose altered to play a sympathetic character in his film debut, High Noon, and was relegated to a non-speaking outlaw as a result. For a decade he was typecast as a minor villain, his sinister features overshadowing his acting skills. After suffering serious injuries in a car crash, Van Cleef began to lose interest in his apparently waning career by the time Sergio Leone gave him a major role in For a Few Dollars More. The film made him a box-office draw, especially in Europe.

Despite suffering from heart disease from the late 1970s and having a pacemaker installed in the early 1980s, Van Cleef continued to work in films until his death on December 16, 1989, at age 64. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Hollywood Hills, California, with an inscription on his grave marker referring to his many acting performances as a villain: "BEST OF THE BAD".

Movies

Peter Baumgartner, Filmkameramann
Peter Baumgartner, Filmkameramann
2014
(archive footage)
Octagon : le combat des maîtres
Octagon : le combat des maîtres
2003
Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor
Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor
2000
Col. Douglas Mortimer (archive footage)
Thieves of Fortune
Thieves of Fortune
1990 ★ 2.7
Sergio Danielo Christophero
Speed Zone
Speed Zone
1989 ★ 4.5
Grandfather
The Commander
The Commander
1988 ★ 5.5
Col. Mazzarini
Armed Response
Armed Response
1986 ★ 4.7
Burt Roth
Jungle Raiders
Jungle Raiders
1985 ★ 3.7
Warren
The Master Ninja 5
The Master Ninja 5
1985 ★ 10.0
John Peter McAllister
Code Name: Wild Geese
Code Name: Wild Geese
1984 ★ 5.2
Archie 'China' Travers
Killing Machine
Killing Machine
1984 ★ 4.5
Julot
Master Ninja
Master Ninja
1984 ★ 4.7
John Peter McAllister
Master Ninja II
Master Ninja II
1984 ★ 7.0
John Peter McAllister
Escape from New York
Escape from New York
1981 ★ 7.1
Police Commissioner Bob Hauk
The Octagon
The Octagon
1980 ★ 5.0
McCarn
The Hard Way
The Hard Way
1980 ★ 5.7
McNeal
The Squeeze
The Squeeze
1978 ★ 5.2
Chris Gretchko / Ray Sloan
The Perfect Killer
The Perfect Killer
1977 ★ 3.0
Harry Chapman
Nowhere to Hide
Nowhere to Hide
1977 ★ 5.0
Ike Scanlon
Kid Vengeance
Kid Vengeance
1976 ★ 5.1
McClain
God's Gun
God's Gun
1976 ★ 5.2
Father John / Lewis
Take a Hard Ride
Take a Hard Ride
1975 ★ 5.2
Kiefer
The Stranger and the Gunfighter
The Stranger and the Gunfighter
1974 ★ 5.3
Dakota
Mean Frank and Crazy Tony
Mean Frank and Crazy Tony
1973 ★ 4.1
Frankie
The Grand Duel
The Grand Duel
1972 ★ 6.0
Sheriff Clayton
The Magnificent Seven Ride!
The Magnificent Seven Ride!
1972 ★ 5.5
Marshal Chris Adams
Captain Apache
Captain Apache
1971 ★ 4.5
Capt. Apache
Bad Man's River
Bad Man's River
1971 ★ 4.5
Roy King
Return of Sabata
Return of Sabata
1971 ★ 5.9
Sabata / Major
Barquero
Barquero
1970 ★ 6.2
Travis
El Condor
El Condor
1970 ★ 5.5
Jaroo
Sabata
Sabata
1969 ★ 6.3
Sabata
Commandos
Commandos
1968 ★ 5.7
MSgt. Sullivan
Beyond the Law
Beyond the Law
1968 ★ 5.8
Billy Joe Cudlip
Day of Anger
Day of Anger
1967 ★ 7.0
Frank Talby
Death Rides a Horse
Death Rides a Horse
1967 ★ 7.0
Ryan
The Big Gundown
The Big Gundown
1967 ★ 7.3
Jonathan Corbett
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
1966 ★ 8.5
Sentenza / Angel Eyes
For a Few Dollars More
For a Few Dollars More
1965 ★ 8.0
Col. Douglas Mortimer
How the West Was Won
How the West Was Won
1962 ★ 7.0
River Pirate (uncredited)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
1962 ★ 7.8
Reese
Posse from Hell
Posse from Hell
1961 ★ 6.2
Leo
The Slowest Gun in the West
The Slowest Gun in the West
1960 ★ 2.0
Sam Bass
Ride Lonesome
Ride Lonesome
1959 ★ 6.7
Frank
Guns, Girls and Gangsters
Guns, Girls and Gangsters
1959 ★ 5.8
Mike Bennett
Machete
Machete
1958 ★ 5.9
Miguel
The Bravados
The Bravados
1958 ★ 6.6
Alfonso Parral
The Young Lions
The Young Lions
1958 ★ 6.8
1st Sgt. Rickett
Day of the Badman
Day of the Badman
1958 ★ 6.5
Jake Hayes
The Tin Star
The Tin Star
1957 ★ 7.0
Ed McGaffey
Raiders of Old California
Raiders of Old California
1957 ★ 4.7
Damon Pardee
Joe Dakota
Joe Dakota
1957 ★ 6.3
Adam Grant
Gun Battle at Monterey
Gun Battle at Monterey
1957 ★ 4.6
Kirby
The Quiet Gun
The Quiet Gun
1957 ★ 6.4
Doug Sadler
Last Stagecoach West
Last Stagecoach West
1957 ★ 4.3
Steve Margolies
The Lonely Man
The Lonely Man
1957 ★ 5.9
Faro
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
1957 ★ 7.0
Ed Bailey
China Gate
China Gate
1957 ★ 6.0
Maj. Cham
The Badge of Marshal Brennan
The Badge of Marshal Brennan
1957 ★ 6.0
Shad Donaphin
Accused of Murder
Accused of Murder
1956 ★ 4.5
Police Sgt. Emmett Lackey
Pardners
Pardners
1956 ★ 6.7
Gus
It Conquered the World
It Conquered the World
1956 ★ 4.8
Dr. Tom Anderson
Tribute to a Bad Man
Tribute to a Bad Man
1956 ★ 7.0
Fat Jones
The Conqueror
The Conqueror
1956 ★ 3.5
Chepei
The Vanishing American
The Vanishing American
1955 ★ 4.0
Jay Lord
A Man Alone
A Man Alone
1955 ★ 5.7
Clanton
The Naked Street
The Naked Street
1955 ★ 6.1
Harry Goldish (uncredited)
The Road to Denver
The Road to Denver
1955 ★ 6.4
Pecos Larry
I Cover the Underworld
I Cover the Underworld
1955 ★ 6.0
Flash Logan
The Big Combo
The Big Combo
1955 ★ 7.0
Fante
Ten Wanted Men
Ten Wanted Men
1955 ★ 5.8
Al Drucker
Treasure of Ruby Hills
Treasure of Ruby Hills
1955 ★ 4.0
Frank Emmett
Dawn at Socorro
Dawn at Socorro
1954 ★ 7.2
Earl Ferris
Princess of the Nile
Princess of the Nile
1954 ★ 7.1
Hakar (uncredited)
The Desperado
The Desperado
1954 ★ 6.6
Paul Clayton/Buck Clayton
The Yellow Tomahawk
The Yellow Tomahawk
1954 ★ 6.0
Fire Knife
Arrow In The Dust
Arrow In The Dust
1954 ★ 5.8
Tillotson Henchman
Rails Into Laramie
Rails Into Laramie
1954 ★ 6.3
Ace Winton
Gypsy Colt
Gypsy Colt
1954 ★ 6.3
Hank
The Nebraskan
The Nebraskan
1953 ★ 2.7
Pvt. Reno Benton
Tumbleweed
Tumbleweed
1953 ★ 6.1
Marv
Jack Slade
Jack Slade
1953 ★ 6.4
Bolt Mackay
Vice Squad
Vice Squad
1953 ★ 5.7
Pete Monty
Arena
Arena
1953 ★ 4.7
Smitty
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
1953 ★ 6.6
Corp. Stone
White Lightning
White Lightning
1953 ★ 6.0
Brutus Allen
The Bandits of Corsica
The Bandits of Corsica
1953 ★ 5.8
Nerva
The Lawless Breed
The Lawless Breed
1952 ★ 6.6
Dirk Hanley
Kansas City Confidential
Kansas City Confidential
1952 ★ 7.1
Tony Romano
Untamed Frontier
Untamed Frontier
1952 ★ 7.2
Dave Chittun
High Noon
High Noon
1952 ★ 7.7
Jack Colby

TV Series

The Master
The Master
1984 ★ 5.1
John Peter McAllister
13 Episodes
Laredo
Laredo
1965 ★ 6.3
1 Episode
My Mother the Car
My Mother the Car
1965 ★ 4.3
1 Episode
Branded
Branded
1965 ★ 6.6
4 Episodes
The Dakotas
The Dakotas
1963 ★ 5.7
1 Episode
Stagecoach West
Stagecoach West
1960 ★ 6.0
Lin Hyatt
1 Episode
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
1960 ★ 7.6
Skip
1 Episode
Mr. Lucky
Mr. Lucky
1959 ★ 6.4
Kruger
1 Episode
The Untouchables
The Untouchables
1959 ★ 7.8
Frank Diamond
2 Episodes
Hawaiian Eye
Hawaiian Eye
1959 ★ 5.2
1 Episode
The Alaskans
The Alaskans
1959 ★ 5.5
1 Episode
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
1959 ★ 8.5
Steinhart
1 Episode
Law of the Plainsman
Law of the Plainsman
1959 ★ 6.0
Tracey
1 Episode
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959 ★ 6.3
Peak
1 Episode
Riverboat
Riverboat
1959 ★ 6.2
Luke Cragg
1 Episode
The Deputy
The Deputy
1959 ★ 6.2
Cherokee Kid
1 Episode
Bonanza
Bonanza
1959 ★ 7.5
Appling
1 Episode
Black Saddle
Black Saddle
1959 ★ 6.0
Frank Sandoe
1 Episode
Rawhide
Rawhide
1959 ★ 7.2
Fred Grant
1 Episode
77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
1958 ★ 6.7
1 Episode
Lawman
Lawman
1958 ★ 5.6
2 Episodes
Yancy Derringer
Yancy Derringer
1958 ★ 6.0
Ike Milton
1 Episode
The Rifleman
The Rifleman
1958 ★ 7.1
4 Episodes
Bronco
Bronco
1958 ★ 5.9
2 Episodes
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Wanted: Dead or Alive
1958 ★ 6.8
Jumbo Kane
1 Episode
Tombstone Territory
Tombstone Territory
1957 ★ 6.2
Sam Carver
1 Episode
Zorro
Zorro
1957 ★ 7.5
1 Episode
Casey Jones
Casey Jones
1957 ★ 5.5
Mort Clio
1 Episode
Trackdown
Trackdown
1957 ★ 6.4
Ben Fraser
1 Episode
Maverick
Maverick
1957 ★ 6.9
1 Episode
Perry Mason
Perry Mason
1957 ★ 7.7
Edward Doyle
1 Episode
Wagon Train
Wagon Train
1957 ★ 6.6
Rufe Beal
1 Episode
Have Gun, Will Travel
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957 ★ 7.3
Golias
1 Episode
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
1957 ★ 6.2
Ed Murdock
1 Episode
Wire Service
Wire Service
1956
Al Sanders
1 Episode
State Trooper
State Trooper
1956 ★ 5.0
Frank Parnessa
1 Episode
The Adventures of Champion
The Adventures of Champion
1955 ★ 5.3
Frank
1 Episode
Cheyenne
Cheyenne
1955 ★ 6.0
Braden
1 Episode
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
1955 ★ 6.6
Rad
1 Episode
Buffalo Bill Jr.
Buffalo Bill Jr.
1955 ★ 5.0
2 Episodes
Studio 57
Studio 57
1954
1 Episode
Stories of the Century
Stories of the Century
1954 ★ 6.8
Jesse James
1 Episode
Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley
1954 ★ 5.2
Amos Belcher
1 Episode
City Detective
City Detective
1953 ★ 7.0
1 Episode
General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater
1953 ★ 6.4
Dave Rudabaugh
1 Episode
The Ford Television Theatre
The Ford Television Theatre
1952 ★ 7.3
1 Episode
Cavalcade of America
Cavalcade of America
1952 ★ 3.5
2 Episodes
Four Star Playhouse
Four Star Playhouse
1952 ★ 6.7
Bob Wheeler aka Sonora Kid
1 Episode
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951 ★ 7.2
Dallas Clancy
1 Episode
Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie
1951 ★ 4.0
Captain Jansen
1 Episode
The Adventures of Kit Carson
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951 ★ 5.3
6 Episodes
The Gene Autry Show
The Gene Autry Show
1950 ★ 4.2
Hod - Henchman
1 Episode
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
1949 ★ 6.8
Bull Harper
1 Episode