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Lee Van Cleef (1925–1989)

Actor | Soundtrack

One of the great movie villains, Lee Van Cleef started out as an accountant. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard minesweepers and subchasers during World War II. After the war he worked as an office administrator, becoming involved in amateur theatrics in his spare time. An audition for a professional role led to a touring company job in "Mr... See full bio »

Born:

Clarence Leroy Van Cleef Jr.
in Somerville, New Jersey, USA

Died:

(age 64) in Oxnard, California, USA
Still of Lee Van Cleef in Sabata Still of Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Still of Lee Van Cleef in The Magnificent Seven Ride! Still of Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Still of Klaus Kinski and Lee Van Cleef in For a Few Dollars More Still of Lee Van Cleef in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
36 photos | 17 videos | 95 news articles »

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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (171 titles)
1989 Speed Zone
Rock-Skipping Grandfather
 
1989 Thieves of Fortune
Sergio Danielo Christophero
 
1988 Der Commander
Col. Mazzarini
 
1986 Armed Response
Burt Roth
 
1985 Jungle Raiders
Warren
 
1984 Code Name: Wild Geese
Archie 'China' Travers
 
1984 The Master (TV series)
John Peter McAllister / The Master
– A Place to Call Home (1984) … John Peter McAllister
– Rogues (1984) … John Peter McAllister
– Failure to Communicate (1984) … John Peter McAllister
– The Java Tiger (1984)
– Kunoichi (1984) … John Peter McAllister
See all 13 episodes »
 
1984 Goma-2
Julot
 
1981 Escape from New York
Hauk
 
1980 The Octagon
McCarn
 
1979 The Hard Way (TV movie)
McNeal
 
1978 The Squeeze
Chris Gretchko/Ray Sloan
 
1977 The Perfect Killer
Harry Chapman
 
1977 Nowhere to Hide (TV movie)
Ike Scanlon
 
1977 Vengeance
McClain
 
1976 Diamante Lobo
Father John/Lewis
 
1975 Take a Hard Ride
Kiefer
 
1974 El kárate, el Colt y el impostor
Dakota
 
1973 Dio, sei proprio un padreterno!
Frankie Diomede
 
1972 The Grand Duel
Sheriff Clayton
 
1972 The Magnificent Seven Ride!
Chris
 
1971 Bad Man's River
Roy King
 
1971 Deathwork
Capt. Apache
 
1971 È tornato Sabata... hai chiuso un'altra volta
Sabata / Major
 
1970 Barquero
Travis
 
1970 El Condor
Jaroo
 
1969 Sabata
Sabata
 
1968 Commandos
MSgt. Sullivan
 
1968 Al di là della legge
Billy Joe Cudlip
 
1967 Day of Anger
Frank Talby
 
1967 Death Rides a Horse
Ryan
 
1966 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sentenza / Angel Eyes
 
1966 The Big Gundown
Jonathan 'Colorado' Corbett
 
1960-1966 Gunsmoke (TV series)
Ike Jeffords / John Hooker / Rad Meadows
– My Father, My Son (1966) … Ike Jeffords
– The Pariah (1965) … John Hooker
– Old Flame (1960) … Rad Meadows
 
1966 Laredo (TV series)
Big Mike Kelly
– Quarter Past Eleven (1966) … Big Mike Kelly
 
1965-1966 Branded (TV series)
Charlie Yates / Fred Slater
– Call to Glory: Part 3 (1966) … Charlie Yates
– Call to Glory: Part 2 (1966) … Charlie Yates
– Call to Glory: Part 1 (1966) … Charlie Yates
– The Richest Man in Boot Hill (1965) … Fred Slater
 
1965 For a Few Dollars More
Col. Douglas Mortimer
 
1965 My Mother the Car (TV series)
Nick Fitch
– Burned at the Steak (1965) … Nick Fitch
 
1965 Luke and the Tenderfoot (TV movie)
Johnny Darth
 
1965 The Andy Griffith Show (TV series)
Skip
– Banjo-Playing Deputy (1965) … Skip
 
1964 Rawhide (TV series)
Deck Sommers / Fred Grant
– Piney (1964) … Deck Sommers
– The Enormous Fist (1964) … Fred Grant
 
1964 Destry (TV series)
Ace Slater
– Destry Had a Little Lamb (1964) … Ace Slater
 
1963 The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV series)
Raoul Volta
– The Day of the Misfits (1963) … Raoul Volta
 
1960-1963 77 Sunset Strip (TV series)
Deek / Majeski
– 88 Bars (1963) … Majeski
– Attic (1960) … Deek
 
1960-1963 Laramie (TV series)
Caleb / Dawson / Mac Morgan / …
– The Stranger (1963) … Caleb
– Vengeance (1963) … Mac Morgan
– Killer Odds (1961) … Dawson
– .45 Calibre (1960) … Wes Torrey
 
1962-1963 Have Gun - Will Travel (TV series)
Corbin / Golias - Gypsy Leader
– Face of a Shadow (1963) … Golias - Gypsy Leader
– The Treasure (1962) … Corbin
 
1963 The Dick Powell Theatre (TV series)
Salty
– Colossus (1963) … Salty
 
1963 Perry Mason (TV series)
Edward Doyle
– The Case of the Golden Oranges (1963) … Edward Doyle
 
1963 The Dakotas (TV series)
Larry Jackson / Slade Tucker
– Thunder in Pleasant Valley (1963) … Slade Tucker
– A Man Called Ragan (1963) … Larry Jackson
 
1962-1963 Ripcord (TV series)
Henry Kane / Jack Martin
– The Money Mine (1963) … Jack Martin
– Thoroughbred (1962) … Henry Kane
 
1962 How the West Was Won
River Pirate (uncredited)
 
1959-1962 The Rifleman (TV series)
Dan Maury / Johnny Drako / Stinger / …
– Death Never Rides Alone (1962) … Johnny Drako
– The Clarence Bibs Story (1961) … Wicks
– The Prodigal (1960) … Stinger
– The Deadly Wait (1959) … Dan Maury
 
1954-1962 Death Valley Days (TV series)
Brogger
– The Hat That Won the West (1962) … Brogger
– Snowshoe Thompson (1954)
 
1961-1962 Cheyenne (TV series)
Deputy Sheriff Braden / Harry / Larry Jackson
– Man Alone (1962) … Harry
– A Man Called Ragan (1962) … Larry Jackson
– Trouble Street (1961) … Deputy Sheriff Braden
 
1962 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Reese
 
1961-1962 Bronco (TV series)
Charley Clune / Shanghai Williams
– One Evening in Abilene (1962) … Charley Clune
– Yankee Tornado (1961) … Shanghai Williams
 
1962 The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)
– Double Exposure (1962)
 
1961 Twilight Zone (TV series)
Steinhart
– The Grave (1961) … Steinhart
 
1961 Posse from Hell
Leo
 
1961 Stagecoach West (TV series)
Lin Hyatt
– Never Walk Alone (1961) … Lin Hyatt
 
1961 Maverick (TV series)
Wolf McManus
– Red Dog (1961) … Wolf McManus
 
1961 Hawaiian Eye (TV series)
Manuel
– The Stanhope Brand (1961) … Manuel
 
1961 Shotgun Slade (TV series)
Bob
– The Payrollers (1961) … Bob
 
1960 Bonanza (TV series)
Appling
– The Blood Line (1960) … Appling
 
1958-1960 Lawman (TV series)
Deputy Clyde Wilson / Jack Sanders / Ned Scott / …
– The Return of Owny O'Reilly (1960) … Jack Sanders
– Man on a Mountain (1960) … Deputy Clyde Wilson
– The Conclave (1959) … Ned Scott
– The Deputy (1958) … Walt Hawks (as Lee VanCleef)
 
1958-1960 Colt .45 (TV series)
Devery / Red Feather
– The Trespasser (1960) … Red Feather
– Dead Reckoning (1958) … Devery
 
1960 Mr. Lucky (TV series)
Kruger
– Dangerous Lady (1960) … Kruger
 
1960 The Deputy (TV series)
Cherokee Kid
– Palace of Chance (1960) … Cherokee Kid
 
1960 The Slowest Gun in the West (TV movie)
Sam Bass
 
1960 Black Saddle (TV series)
Frank Sandoo
– The Cabin (1960) … Frank Sandoo
 
1960 The Untouchables (TV series)
Frank Diamond
– The Unhired Assassin: Part 2 (1960) … Frank Diamond
– The Unhired Assassin: Part 1 (1960) … Frank Diamond
 
1960 The Alaskans (TV series)
Roc
– Peril at Caribou Crossing (1960) … Roc
 
1960 Hotel de Paree (TV series)
Thompson
– Sundance and the Man in Room Seven (1960) … Thompson
 
1960 The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV series)
Peak
– Trial by Fear (1960) … Peak
 
1959 Law of the Plainsman (TV series)
Tracey
– Clear Title (1959) … Tracey
 
1959 Riverboat (TV series)
Luke Cragg
– Strange Request (1959) … Luke Cragg
 
1959 Tombstone Territory (TV series)
Jake Conroy / Sam Carver
– Payroll Robbery (1959) … Jake Conroy
– Gun Hostage (1959) … Sam Carver
 
1959 Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV series)
Jumbo Kane
– The Hostage (1959) … Jumbo Kane
 
1959 The Real McCoys (TV series)
1st Sentry
– Grandpa Fights the Air Force (1959) … 1st Sentry
 
1959 Yancy Derringer (TV series)
Frank James / Ike Melton
– Outlaw at Liberty (1959) … Ike Melton / Frank James
 
1959 Cimarron City (TV series)
Tom
– The Town Is a Prisoner (1959) … Tom
 
1959 Fury (TV series)
Race Collins
– House Guests (1959) … Race Collins
 
1959 Ride Lonesome
Frank
 
1959 Northwest Passage (TV series)
Frank Wade
– The Fourth Brother (1959) … Frank Wade
 
1959 Guns, Girls, and Gangsters
Mike Bennett
 
1958 Machete
Miguel
 
1958 Frontier Doctor (TV series)
Deputy Sid Carver aka Bill Dalton
– The Great Stagecoach Robbery (1958) … Deputy Sid Carver aka Bill Dalton
 
1958 Zorro (TV series)
Antonio Castillo
– Welcome to Monterey (1958) … Antonio Castillo
 
1958 Target (TV series)
– Murder Is a Bottomless Well (1958)
 
1958 The Bravados
Alfonso Parral
 
1958 State Trooper (TV series)
Frank Parnessa
– 710 Hysteria Street (1958) … Frank Parnessa
 
1958 The Young Lions
1st Sgt. Rickett
 
1958 Richard Diamond, Private Detective (TV series)
Ed Murdock
– Rodeo (1958) … Ed Murdock
 
1958 Day of the Badman
Jake Hayes
 
1958 Wagon Train (TV series)
Rufe Beal
– The Jesse Cowan Story (1958) … Rufe Beal
 
1957 Trackdown (TV series)
Ben Fraser
– The Town (1957) … Ben Fraser
 
1957 Raiders of Old California
Sgt. Damon Pardee
 
1957 Casey Jones (TV series)
Mort Clio
– A Badge for Casey (1957) … Mort Clio
 
1957 Gun Battle at Monterey
Kirby
 
1957 The Tin Star
Ed McGaffey
 
1957 G.E. True Theater (TV series)
Dave Rudabaugh
– Thousand Dollar Gun (1957) … Dave Rudabaugh
 
1957 Joe Dakota
Adam Grant
 
1957 The Last Stagecoach West
Steve Margolies
 
1957 The Lonely Man
Faro
 
1957 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Ed Bailey
 
1957 China Gate
Maj. Cham
 
1957 The Badge of Marshal Brennan
Shad Donaphin
 
1953-1957 Schlitz Playhouse (TV series)
Cowboy / Dallas Clancy / Sheriff / …
– The Blue Hotel (1957) … Cowboy
– Ride to the West or Night Ride to Butte (1955)
– Midnight Haul (1954) … Wink
– The Black Mate (1954)
– Four Things He'd Do (1954) … Sheriff
See all 6 episodes »
 
1957 Tales of Wells Fargo (TV series)
Cherokee Bob
– Alder Gulch (1957) … Cherokee Bob
 
1957 Soldiers of Fortune (TV series)
Sergeant Bucheroff
– Guns for El Khadar (1957) … Sergeant Bucheroff
 
1957 The Quiet Gun
Doug Sadler
 
1956 Accused of Murder
Police Sgt. Emmett Lackey
 
1956 Sheriff of Cochise (TV series)
Hackett
– Fire on Chiricahua Mountains (1956) … Hackett
 
1956 Crossroads (TV series)
Johnny
– Sky Pilot of the Cumberlands (1956) … Johnny
 
1956 Wire Service (TV series)
Al Sanders
– The Night of August 7th (1956) … Al Sanders
 
1956 The Ford Television Theatre (TV series)
Stanley Perrin
– Measure of Faith (1956) … Stanley Perrin
 
1956 Pardners
Gus
 
1956 It Conquered the World
Dr. Tom Anderson
 
1956 Tribute to a Bad Man
Fat Jones
 
1956 Studio 57 (TV series)
Tommy
– Deadline (1956) … Tommy
 
1956 The Conqueror
Chepei
 
1956 Chevron Hall of Stars (TV series)
Thomas
– Three Strikes and Out (1956) … Thomas
 
1955 Brave Eagle (TV series)
Great Bear
– Shield of Honor (1955) … Great Bear
 
1955 The Vanishing American
Jay Lord
 
1955 A Man Alone
Clanton (Stanley henchman)
 
1955 The Adventures of Champion (TV series)
Frank
– Crossroad Trail (1955) … Frank
 
1955 The Naked Street
Harry Goldish (uncredited)
 
1955 The Star and the Story (TV series)
– The Norther (1955)
 
1955 The Road to Denver
Pecos Larry
 
1955 The Man Behind the Badge (TV series)
Floyd
– The Case of the Desperate Moment (1955) … Floyd
 
1955 I Cover the Underworld
Flash Logan
 
1955 Buffalo Bill, Jr. (TV series)
John-O / Tom Stace
– The Calico Kid (1955) … Tom Stace
– Boomer's Blunder (1955) … John-O
 
1955 Annie Oakley (TV series)
Amos Belcher / Tim Brennan
– Annie and the Higher Court (1955) … Amos Belcher
– Annie Breaks an Alibi (1955) … Tim Brennan
 
1955 City Detective (TV series)
Hardtman
– Man Down, Woman Screaming (1955) … Hardtman
 
1955 TV Reader's Digest (TV series)
Mike
– How Charlie Faust Won a Pennant for the Giants (1955) … Mike
 
1955 The Big Combo
Fante
 
1955 Ten Wanted Men
Al Drucker
 
1955 Treasure of Ruby Hills
Frank Emmett
 
1953-1955 The Adventures of Kit Carson (TV series)
Burt Tanner / Kirk Hadley / Maj. Farnsworth and Vance Howard / …
– Incident at Wagontire (1955)
– The Missing Hacienda (1954) … Sheriff Ned Jackson
– No Man's Law (1954) … Maj. Farnsworth and Vance Howard
– Gunsmoke Justice (1953) … Burt Tanner
– Lost Treaure of the Panamints (1953)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1954 The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (TV series)
Ed McCleod
– Rin Tin Tin and the Raging River (1954) … Ed McCleod
 
1954 Medic (TV series)
Dr. Frank Strauss
– Day 10 (1954) … Dr. Frank Strauss
 
1953-1954 The Gene Autry Show (TV series)
Henchman Hod / Henchman Ray
– Outlaw Warning (1954) … Henchman Ray
– Rio Renegades (1953) … Henchman Hod
 
1954 Dawn at Socorro
Earl Ferris
 
1954 Waterfront (TV series)
Ed
– The Skipper's Day (1954) … Ed
 
1954 The Desperado
The Crayton Twins, Paul / Buck
 
1954 Princess of the Nile
Hakar (uncredited)
 
1953-1954 Cavalcade of America (TV series)
– The Skipper's Lady (1954)
– Duel at the O.K. Corral (1954)
– The Tenderfoot (1953)
 
1954 The Yellow Tomahawk
Fire Knife
 
1954 Arrow in the Dust
Tillotson Henchman
 
1954 Rails Into Laramie
Ace Winton
 
1954 Gypsy Colt
Hank
 
1954 Stories of the Century (TV series)
Jesse James
– Frank and Jesse James (1954) … Jesse James
 
1953-1954 Big Town (TV series)
Jack Coleman / Rick
– The Stranger (1954) … Jack Coleman
– Ticket Racket (1953) … Rick
 
1953 Tumbleweed
Marv
 
1953 The Nebraskan
Pvt. Reno Benton
 
1953 Jack Slade
Bolt Mackay
 
1952-1953 The Lone Ranger (TV series)
Bull Harper / Henchman Jango / Joe Singer
– Stage to Estacado (1953) … Henchman Jango
– The Brown Pony (1953) … Bull Harper
– Desperado at Large (1952) … Joe Singer
 
1953 Vice Squad
Pete Monty
 
1953 Arena
Smitty
 
1953 The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Corp. Stone
 
1952-1953 Space Patrol (TV series)
Herrick / Lesser / Loren / …
– The Man Who Stole a City (1953) … Lesser
– Powerdive (1952) … Ward
– The Derelict Space Station (1952) … Herrick
– Threat of the Thormanoids (1952) … Loren
 
1953 White Lightning
Brutus Allen
 
1953 The Bandits of Corsica
Nerva
 
1953 Four Star Playhouse (TV series)
Bob Wheeler aka Sonora Kid
– Trail's End (1953) … Bob Wheeler aka Sonora Kid
 
1953 The Lawless Breed
Dirk Hanley
 
1952-1953 The Range Rider (TV series)
El Latigo / Rocky Hatch / Utah Joe
– Treasure of Santa Dolores (1953) … El Latigo
– Greed Rides the Range (1952) … Rocky Hatch
– Outlaw's Double (1952) … Utah Joe
 
1952 Boston Blackie (TV series)
Captain Jansen / Lou
– Inside Crime (1952) … Lou
– Deep Six (1952) … Captain Jansen (as Lee Van Cleff)
 
1952 Kansas City Confidential
Tony Romano
 
1952 Sky King (TV series)
Mark
– Formula for Fear (1952) … Mark
 
1952 Untamed Frontier
Dave Chittun
 
1952 High Noon
Jack Colby
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (2 titles)
1974 El kárate, el Colt y el impostor (performer: "Rye Whiskey")
 
1971 Deathwork (performer: "Captain Apache", "April Morning")
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
2013 Special Collector's Edition (TV series) (in memory of - 1 episode)
– Blu-ray: El Bueno, el Feo y el Malo (2013) (in memory of)
 
2004 Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (dedicatee)
 
Show ShowSelf (2 titles)
1979 When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1970 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.224 (1970) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (13 titles)
2013 Special Collector's Edition (TV series)
 
2011 Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (documentary)
 
2009 España, plató de cine (TV documentary)
Col. Douglas Mortimer (uncredited)
 
2009 Comic Relief 2009 (TV movie)
 
2008 Il falso bugiardo
Himself
 
2008 How the West Was Lost (TV documentary)
Sentenza/Angel Eyes (uncredited)
 
2007 Ein Leben wie im Flug (TV movie)
Himself
 
2000 Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (TV documentary)
Reese (uncredited)
 
1998 The Making of 'How the West Was Won' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
1992 Bruce Lee and Kung Fu Mania (documentary)
 
1992 The Best of the Martial Arts Films (documentary)
Himself
 
1966 Blade Rider, Revenge of the Indian Nations
Charlie Yates
 
1960 The Gun of Zangara (TV movie)
Frank Diamond (uncredited)
 

Related Videos

The Magnificent Seven Ride! -- The chief of "The Magnificent Seven" (Lee Van Cleef) is now settled down as the sheriff of a small town, when his "tranquility" is destroyed by the murder of his wife. Twilight Zone: Season 3: Episode 7 -- Old West lawman Conny Miller visits the grave of a man who he failed to track down to prove he was never afraid of him but gets more than he bargained for. The Bravados -- Trailer for this western revenge tale
See all 17 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1985) TV commercial (Japan only): Suntory Old Whisky See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Print Biography  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Lee Van Cleff | Lee VanCleef

Height:

6' 2" (1.88 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Bad guys have always been my bag . . . I look mean without even trying. Audiences just naturally hate me on screen. I could play a role in a tuxedo and people would think I was rotten. You can do much more with a villain part. Movies are full of leading men, most of whom aren't working. It's much harder to find a good villain. See more »

Trivia:

According to the book "Weird NJ" (Sceurman, Mark and Mark Moran, Barnes and Noble Books, 2004 ISBN 0-7607-3979-X) he was a descendant of the Morris County Van Cleefs who were infamous in the area for their strange living and "procreational" efforts. In fact, one trait that Lee had was that he had one green eye and one blue eye... See more »

Trademark:

Beady eyes that frequently squinted in the Western sun See more »

Star Sign:

Capricorn