Lee Van Cleef was an American actor whose distinctive features and piercing eyes made him a memorable presence in film. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he began his acting career, often playing minor villainous roles. His career was revitalized in the mid-1960s by Sergio Leone, who cast him in iconic Spaghetti Westerns like 'For a Few Dollars More' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'. These roles cemented his status as a cinematic legend, known for his stoic and menacing on-screen persona.