Lee Marvin

Lee Marvin
Marvin in 1971
Born
Lamont Waltman Marvin Jr.

(1924-02-19)February 19, 1924
DiedAugust 29, 1987(1987-08-29) (aged 63)
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1950–1987
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Betty Ebeling
    (m. 1952; div. 1967)
  • Pamela Feeley
    (m. 1970)
PartnerMichelle Triola (1965–1970)
Children4
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Service years1942–1945
RankPrivate first class
Unit
Conflicts
AwardsPurple Heart

Lamont Warren Marvin Jr. (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987), known as Lee Marvin, was an American film and television actor. Known for his bass voice and prematurely white hair, he is best remembered for playing hardboiled "tough guy" characters. He received various accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two BAFTA Awards. He was also a decorated United States Marine during the Second World War. He was also a descendant of the Lee family of Virginia.

Although initially typecast as the "heavy" (i.e. villainous character), he later gained prominence for portraying anti-heroes, such as Detective Lieutenant Frank Ballinger on the television series M Squad (1957–1960). Marvin's notable roles in film included Vince Stone in The Big Heat (1953), Liberty Valance in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), Charlie Strom in The Killers (1964), Rico Fardan in The Professionals (1966), Major John Reisman in The Dirty Dozen (1967), Walker in Point Blank (1967), Ben Rumson in Paint Your Wagon (1969), the Sergeant in The Big Red One (1980), and Jack Osborne in Gorky Park (1983).

Marvin achieved numerous accolades when he portrayed a dual role as gunfighter Kid Shelleen and criminal Tim Strawn for the comedy Western film Cat Ballou (1965), alongside Jane Fonda, a surprise hit which won him the Oscar for Best Actor, along with a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, an NBR Award, and the Silver Bear for Best Actor.