Lee Van Cleef, emerged as a prominent actor during the 1960s and 70s in the United States. Beginning his acting journey in the early 1950s, he dominated the American entertainment landscape for nearly thirty years. Even following his untimely passing in 1989, his influential presence in both cinema and television endured undiminished. Despite his immense success, Cleef’s recognition remained somewhat subdued throughout his career. In 1983, he received the Golden Boot Award, a tribute to his excellence in the realm of western cinema.
Among Cleef’s notable cinematic achievements are iconic films like “For a Few Dollars More,” “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “The Road to Denver,” “It Conquered the World,” “The Badge of Marshal Brennan,” “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” “The Last Stagecoach West,” “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” and “The Stranger and the Gunfighter,” among others. He also made an impact on television with series like “The Range Rider,” “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Joey Bishop Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Dakotas,” and “My Mother the Car.”
Lee Van Cleef’s Quick Bio
Contents
| Attributes | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Lee Van Cleef |
| Born | January 9, 1925 |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Actor |
| Birth Sign | Capricorn |
| Country | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Not available |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 190 lbs (86 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Father | Marion Van Cleef |
| Mother | Ellen Barbee |
| Spouse | Patsy Ruth Kahle |
| Children | Deborah and David Van Cleef |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million (at the time of his death) |
| Profiles | IMDb, Wikipedia |
| Body Measurements | Not available |
| Education | Somerville High School |
| Alma Mater | Not available |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Parents | Marion Van Cleef (Father), Ellen Barbee (Mother) |
| Siblings | Not available |
| Source of Wealth | Acting |
| Acting Debut | 1952 |
| Years Active | 1952–1989 |
| Famous for | Spaghetti Westerns, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” |
| Awards | No major awards, but highly regarded for his roles |
| Filmography | Extensive list of films, including iconic Westerns |
| Television | Appeared in various TV shows and series |
| Social Media | Not applicable (passed away before social media era) |
| Official Website | Not available |
| Other Platforms | Not available |
| Hobbies | Playing guitar, painting |
| Interests | Western movies, art |
| Philanthropy | Not well-documented |
| Causes Supported | Not well-documented |
| Residence | California, United States |
| Contact | Not available |
| Quotes | “I’ve got a face that belongs in a museum.” |
| Fun Facts | He was a skilled archer and had a black belt in Taekwondo. |
Lee Van Cleef’s Career
Why was Lee Van Cleef famous?
- Lee Van Cleef was a famous actor in American film and television. Before stepping into the entertainment industry, he served as a First Class Sonarman in the US Navy from 1942 to 1946. Cleef worked as a submarine chaser. After retiring, he started taking place in theatres. In 1952, the actor made his film debut with High Noon. In the same year, he acted in two other films- Untamed Frontier and Kansas City Confidential.
- Cleef appeared in several films in the following year, including The Lawless Breed, Jack Slade, and The Nebraskan. In 1965, he played the role of Colonel Douglas Mortimer in the hit film For a Few Dollars More. Cleef’s other prominent role Angel Eyes was seen in the 1966 film The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. He made his television debut with the 1952 series Sky King.
Personal Information
What was Lee Van Cleef’s height?
Lee Van Cleef was 6.2 tall. On January 9, 1925, he was born in Somerville, New Jersey, USA. Clarence LeRoy Van Cleef Sr. and Marion Levinia Van Fleet were the actor’s parents.
Relationship
Who was Lee Van Cleef’s wife?
Lee Van Cleef married thrice in his career. But he stayed married to Barbara Havelone before his death. The actor had four children- Alan Van Cleef, David Van Cleef, Deborah Van Cleef, and Denise Van Cleef.
Death
When did Lee Van Cleef die?
Lee Van Cleef died of heart disease and throat cancer in Oxnard, California, the USA, on December 16, 1989.
Net worth
How much did Lee Van Cleef earn?
Lee Van Cleef’s net worth was $2 Million before death.
Trivia
- Lee Van Cleef died at the age of 64.
- His birth sign was Capricorn.
- Cleef’s hair was Grey.
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