Clarence LeRoy Van Cleef Jr. (Lee Van Cleef), one of cinemas most unforgettable faces and performers was born 100 years ago on January 9th, 1925!

His film debut was in 1952’s “High Noon” and soon became type-casted as the villain in many westerns and crime/film noirs in the 50’s through the early 60’s until he considered retiring from acting due to a serious car accident and the decline in roles.

Things would've been different for Van Cleef if he got nose surgery at producer, Stanley Kramer's request. Van Cleef refused and the role that he was hired for went to Lloyd Bridges and Van Cleef had the silent secondary bad guy role!

His career took off after he was cast in Sergio Leone’s “For A Few Dollars More” & “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly”! Those two films would be his most popular!

He then became a staple in “spaghetti westerns” throughout the 70’s! He continued to be featured in many films & TV programs up until his unfortunate and untimely passing in December of 1989!

Van Cleef also served our country in the US Navy during WW II from 1942-1946 and earned the Bronze Star.