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Lee Van Cleef

Lee Van Cleef

Known For Acting
Birthday Jan 09, 1925
Died Dec 16, 1989 (64)
Birthplace Somerville, New Jersey, USA
Popularity 14 (history)
Updated May 29, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

Clarence LeRoy "Lee" Van Cleef Jr. 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, Hig ... h 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. Military service: After basic training and further training at the Naval Fleet Sound School, Van Cleef was assigned to a submarine chaser and then to a minesweeper, USS Incredible, on which he worked as a sonarman. After leaving the Navy, Van Cleef read for a part in Our Town at the Little Theater Group in Clinton, New Jersey and received his first stage role. From there, he continued to meet with the group and audition for parts. The next biggest part was that of the boxer, Joe Pendleton, in the play Heaven Can Wait. During this time, he was observed by visiting talent scouts, who were impressed by Van Cleef's stage presence and delivery. One of these scouts later took him to New York City talent agent Maynard Morris of the MCA agency, who then sent him to the Alvin Theater for an audition. Van Cleef's screen debut came in High Noon. During a performance of Mister Roberts in Los Angeles, he was noticed by film director Stanley Kramer, who offered Van Cleef a role in his upcoming film. Kramer originally wanted Van Cleef for the role of the deputy Harvey Pell, but as he wanted Van Cleef to have his "distinctive nose" fixed, Van Cleef declined the role in favor of the part of the silent gunslinger Jack Colby. He was then cast mostly in villainous roles, due to his sharp cheeks and chin, piercing eyes, and hawk-like nose, from the part of Tony Romano in Kansas City Confidential (1952), culminating 14 years later in Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) 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". Description above from the Wikipedia article Lee Van Cleef, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

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Filmography

Thieves of Fortune

Thieves of Fortune

1990

as Sergio Danielo Christophero

Speed Zone

Speed Zone

1989

as Grandfather

Armed Response

Armed Response

1986

as Burt Roth

Master Ninja

Master Ninja

1984

as John Peter McAllister

Escape from New York

Escape from New York

1981

as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk

The Hard Way

The Hard Way

1980

as McNeal

The Octagon

The Octagon

1980

as McCarn

The Squeeze

The Squeeze

1978

as Chris Gretchko / Ray Sloan

Nowhere to Hide

Nowhere to Hide

1977

as Ike Scanlon

Kid Vengeance

Kid Vengeance

1976

as McClain

Take a Hard Ride

Take a Hard Ride

1975

as Kiefer

The Magnificent Seven Ride!

The Magnificent Seven Ride!

1972

as Marshal Chris Adams

Bad Man's River

Bad Man's River

1971

as Roy King

Captain Apache

Captain Apache

1971

as Capt. Apache

El Condor

El Condor

1970

as Jaroo

Barquero

Barquero

1970

as Travis

Beyond the Law

Beyond the Law

1968

as Billy Joe Cudlip

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

1966

as Sentenza / Angel Eyes

For a Few Dollars More

For a Few Dollars More

1965

as Col. Douglas Mortimer

How the West Was Won

How the West Was Won

1962

as River Pirate (uncredited)

Posse from Hell

Posse from Hell

1961

as Leo

The Slowest Gun in the West

The Slowest Gun in the West

1960

as Sam Bass

Guns, Girls and Gangsters

Guns, Girls and Gangsters

1959

as Mike Bennett

Ride Lonesome

Ride Lonesome

1959

as Frank

Machete

Machete

1958

as Miguel

The Young Lions

The Young Lions

1958

as 1st Sgt. Rickett

The Bravados

The Bravados

1958

as Alfonso Parral

Day of the Badman

Day of the Badman

1958

as Jake Hayes

The Quiet Gun

The Quiet Gun

1957

as Doug Sadler

Last Stagecoach West

Last Stagecoach West

1957

as Steve Margolies

Raiders of Old California

Raiders of Old California

1957

as Damon Pardee

Gun Battle at Monterey

Gun Battle at Monterey

1957

as Kirby

China Gate

China Gate

1957

as Maj. Cham

Joe Dakota

Joe Dakota

1957

as Adam Grant

The Lonely Man

The Lonely Man

1957

as Faro

The Badge of Marshal Brennan

The Badge of Marshal Brennan

1957

as Shad Donaphin

The Tin Star

The Tin Star

1957

as Ed McGaffey

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

1957

as Ed Bailey

It Conquered the World

It Conquered the World

1956

as Dr. Tom Anderson

Pardners

Pardners

1956

as Gus

Accused of Murder

Accused of Murder

1956

as Police Sgt. Emmett Lackey

The Conqueror

The Conqueror

1956

as Chepei

Tribute to a Bad Man

Tribute to a Bad Man

1956

as Fat Jones

I Cover the Underworld

I Cover the Underworld

1955

as Flash Logan

The Big Combo

The Big Combo

1955

as Fante

A Man Alone

A Man Alone

1955

as Clanton

The Vanishing American

The Vanishing American

1955

as Jay Lord

The Road to Denver

The Road to Denver

1955

as Pecos Larry

Treasure of Ruby Hills

Treasure of Ruby Hills

1955

as Frank Emmett

Ten Wanted Men

Ten Wanted Men

1955

as Al Drucker

The Naked Street

The Naked Street

1955

as Harry Goldish (uncredited)

Gypsy Colt

Gypsy Colt

1954

as Hank

The Yellow Tomahawk

The Yellow Tomahawk

1954

as Fire Knife

The Desperado

The Desperado

1954

as Paul Clayton/Buck Clayton

Arrow In The Dust

Arrow In The Dust

1954

as Tillotson Henchman

Rails Into Laramie

Rails Into Laramie

1954

as Ace Winton

Dawn at Socorro

Dawn at Socorro

1954

as Earl Ferris

Princess of the Nile

Princess of the Nile

1954

as Hakar (uncredited)

The Nebraskan

The Nebraskan

1953

as Pvt. Reno Benton

The Bandits of Corsica

The Bandits of Corsica

1953

as Nerva

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

1953

as Corp. Stone

White Lightning

White Lightning

1953

as Brutus Allen

Tumbleweed

Tumbleweed

1953

as Marv

Arena

Arena

1953

as Smitty

Jack Slade

Jack Slade

1953

as Bolt Mackay

Vice Squad

Vice Squad

1953

as Pete Monty

Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential

1952

as Tony Romano

The Lawless Breed

The Lawless Breed

1952

as Dirk Hanley

Untamed Frontier

Untamed Frontier

1952

as Dave Chittun

High Noon

High Noon

1952

as Jack Colby

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

The Master

as John Peter McAllister

Episodes: 13

First Aired: Jan 20, 1984

The Untouchables

as Frank Diamond

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 15, 1959

The Andy Griffith Show

as Skip

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 1960

Gunsmoke

as Rad

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Perry Mason

as Edward Doyle

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1957

General Electric Theater

as Dave Rudabaugh

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 01, 1953

The Adventures of Champion

as Frank

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1955

Rawhide

as Fred Grant

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 1959

Have Gun, Will Travel

as Golias

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1957

Yancy Derringer

as Ike Milton

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1958

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Dallas Clancy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Richard Diamond, Private Detective

as Ed Murdock

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 01, 1957

Black Saddle

as Frank Sandoe

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 10, 1959

Wanted: Dead or Alive

as Jumbo Kane

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 06, 1958

Law of the Plainsman

as Tracey

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 01, 1959

Riverboat

as Luke Cragg

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 13, 1959

Wire Service

as Al Sanders

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1956

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

as Peak

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1959

The Lone Ranger

as Bull Harper

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1949

The Deputy

as Cherokee Kid

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

Lawman

as Deputy Clyde Wilson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1958

Casey Jones

as Mort Clio

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 08, 1957

Rawhide

as Deck Sommers

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 1959

Trackdown

as Ben Fraser

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1957

Cheyenne

as Braden

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1955

Gunsmoke

as John Hooker

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Gunsmoke

as Ike Jeffords

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

Cavalcade of America

as 1st Mate Hawl Finch

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 01, 1952

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Larkin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Sheriff

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Wink

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

as Cowboy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 1951

Four Star Playhouse

as Bob Wheeler aka Sonora Kid

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1952

The Lone Ranger

as Jango

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1949

The Ford Television Theatre

as Stanley Perrin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1952

Bonanza

as Appling

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

Tombstone Territory

as Sam Carver

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 16, 1957

Have Gun, Will Travel

as Corbin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1957

77 Sunset Strip

as Majeski

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 10, 1958

Cheyenne

as Harry Bittercreek Bartender

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1955

State Trooper

as Frank Parnessa

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1956

Wagon Train

as Rufe Beal

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 1957

The Gene Autry Show

as Hod - Henchman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 23, 1950

The Gene Autry Show

as Henchman Ray

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 23, 1950

Annie Oakley

as Amos Belcher

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 1954

Studio 57

as Tommy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1954

Annie Oakley

as Tim Brennan

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 1954

Stories of the Century

as Jesse James

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 23, 1954

Stagecoach West

as Lin Hyatt

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1960

The Adventures of Boston Blackie

as Captain Jansen

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1951

The Adventures of Boston Blackie

as Lou

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1951

The Twilight Zone

as Steinhart

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

The Dakotas

as Larry Jackson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 07, 1963

The Adventures of Kit Carson

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Aug 11, 1951

Branded

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Jan 24, 1965

The Rifleman

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 30, 1958

Bronco

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 23, 1958

Lawman

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 05, 1958

Buffalo Bill Jr.

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Mar 01, 1955

Cavalcade of America

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 01, 1952

77 Sunset Strip

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 10, 1958

Mr. Lucky

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 24, 1959

Hawaiian Eye

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 07, 1959

Zorro

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 10, 1957

Laredo

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 16, 1965

My Mother the Car

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1965

The Alaskans

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

The Dakotas

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 07, 1963

City Detective

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 07, 1953

The Ford Television Theatre

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1952

Studio 57

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1954

Maverick

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 1957

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 28 46 17
2024 7 31 43 17
2024 8 26 53 15
2024 9 19 30 9
2024 10 15 23 7
2024 11 15 21 9
2024 12 18 28 10
2025 1 18 27 12
2025 2 12 24 2
2025 3 4 15 0
2025 4 1 2 1
2025 5 4 7 2
2025 6 3 7 2
2025 7 1 2 1
2025 8 6 15 1

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 6 749 316
2025 2 808 598
2025 5 534 471
2025 7 591 510

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