Jack Palance came into this world in the year 1919, in Pennsylvania coal country. He was a talented American actor of Ukrainian descent. His strong rugged features won him many roles in various movies. The first movie for which he won his Academy award for best supporting actor was “City Slickers”.

Jack enjoyed a heavy weight boxing career before deciding to join the military. He was wounded in combat and received several medals including the Purple Heart. After the military, Palance began his acting career. During the 1950’s Jack Palance was known for his roles as the bad guy. He initiated his stage acting career with a role in “The Big Two” in 1947.

Immediately after stage performances Jack went on to take up the role as Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. He continued his stage acting career with other well known plays. He also earned theater awards for such a “promising new personality” and unique style. This helped him to become a star and gain acceptance as a villain in Hollywood.

Jack became a mainstay among bad guy roles because of his appearance and acting abilities. His military career had left some scars on his face which made him a perfect fit for villainous roles. His first movie performance was in “Panic in the Streets”. He played an escapee carrying the bubonic plague.

After his performance in the first movie, Jack Palance’s career continued to grow. In the second movie he used his boxing skills which made the role even easier for him. In “Halls of Montezuma” Jack played a boxing marine. The most memorable character Jack played which is still well recognized today was his role in “Shane” as a gunslinger that everybody loved. He gained such popularity that the comic book creator, Jack Kirby, shaped his character on Jack.

As far as his personal life is concerned, Jack was married twice and had three children. Holly, Brooke, and Cody, all tried their hand in acting and appeared with Jack a few times. Jack Palance said his goodbyes to the world on November 10, 2006. He had been unhealthy for a while and died naturally at his daughter’s home.

Jack Palance was an incredible actor on stage, in movies, and on television. His movies are still watched and admired even today. He had a long career in acting that the world will always appreciate. Jack Palance also did some television roles in between his movies. He won nominations and awards for some of the fabulous roles that he played in his life. His career was long and he will always stay in the heart of his numerous fans all over the world.

• Watch "Cop in Blue Jeans" with Jack Palance on FMO