The Painful Condition Lee Van Cleef Suffered From Until His Death

Did you know that Lee Van Cleef saw active combat in the United States Navy during World War II and that he was in pain for much of his career? Lee Van Cleef was a film star that made a name for himself performing as intimidating characters in classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Lee was in the US Navy and saw plenty of combat during World War II, so there was a good deal of truth to his macho persona. The actor suffered from a long-term injury, but the injury didn’t come from his time in the military.

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Lee Van Cleef’s Early Life
02:17 - How Lee Van Cleef Made It in Hollywood
04:29 - Lee Van Cleef’s Later Career
06:59 - Lee’s Career in the United States Navy
07:29 - Outro

Lee Van Cleef decided that he wanted to join the United States Navy soon after graduating high school. When he returned from serving in World War II, Lee was unsure of what he wanted to do career-wise. He ended up trying his hand at a variety of professions, including accounting and camp counseling. All the while, he began becoming interested in acting as a hobby. Pretty soon, he got the idea that he might be able to make a name for himself as an actor professionally. When Lee received his first professional acting gig, he was given an ultimatum by his accounting job due to the fact that he was going to have to take time off.

Lee made the decision to pursue his dream of acting, and he was subsequently fired from his accounting job. Thankfully, it wouldn’t take long for the actor to make a name for himself in Hollywood. His first big role was in High Noon. Though his character had no dialogue, he made a big impression on the audience. By the end of the 1950s, Lee was a reliable and villainous presence on the big screen. In the 1960s, Lee rose to even greater acclaim thanks to his work alongside Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood in the films For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

During the late 1950s, Lee Van Cleef suffered a car accident that would take a permanent toll o the actor’s well-being. Join Facts Verse as we explore the painful condition Lee Van Cleef suffered from until his death.

The Painful Condition Lee Van Cleef Suffered From Until His Death

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[BobBowen-svxh]

In 1987 I was fortunate to get an invitation to Lee's house in Ventura. My aunt was best friend with Lee's wife.He and I played pool all afternoon. Thinking back on that day I am sorry I didn't know his career better than I did because all I asked him about was the Sergio's two films. He was a very humble nice guy. We drank a lot of wine. I told him I liked the way he pronounced Tcomcari in the Good The Bad and The Ugly. He asked me was the right.

[equine]

Steve McQueen said, Lee was a man he respected. He worked thru pain. And never complained.

[BobBowen-svxh]

Hi -- it is Bob again the guy who spent an afternoon with Lee playing pool. Here are a couple more stories Lee told me about filming the Sergio films. He told me that it was almost one year to the day between the time he arrived in Spain for the filming of For a Few Dollars More and The Good The Bad and The Ugly. While filming the Good The Bad and The Ugly Clint took Sandra Locke along with him on the shoot. Because of her Cline did not interface with Lee or Wallach very much. Lee told me it seemed like a contentious relationship even at that early time in their involvement. I asked him if he still had the revolver he used in those Sergio films, he did not. But he did have a very old Colt he used in other films. He kept in a holster and showed it to me. Not once did he ever brag about his lengthy film career. If it were me I would have said ...."I did more than just those two films". After that afternoon I researched Lee's filmography. He did it all even an episode of the Twilight Zone 1961 "The Did you know that on Lee's tombstone it says "The Best of The Bad"

[robbieburton]

One of his sons, David, was my best friend for a while when I was in high school in Athens, GA. David and I had a lot of fun together. He looked very much like his father.

[Lonchanney]

You forgot one mate. He stared in escape From New York with Kurt Russell. And that movie was a hit.

[kevingiven]

You forgot to mention his last hurrah starring as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk opposite Kurt Russel in John Carpenter's Escape from New York.

[theirontenth]

I have to say when he strikes a match off of hunchback scene is the most legendary troll battle in history.

[carolynthornton]

IN MY VIEW
Lee Van Cleef's face was known around the world. He MADE his characters real and believable. He was an accountant, military sharp shooter, musician, rancher, deputy sheriff, karate and jujitsu martial artist and actor. Lee Can Cleef was not an ordinary man.

[mirtonceka]

Col Douglas Mortimer and Angel Eyes will be rememberd for ever.

[raetn]

It’s a shame he didn’t get more attention I loved his movies and anything else he was in..❤

[winner]

I had known he was a Decorated WW2 Vet, The Guy was a Legendary Western Heavy Weight Actor, he was Always There, Decades, Movies, Foil Bad Guy for Clint, Eli Wallach, Rifleman, . Remember when 🐮 Cowboys were King, . You did Good. Lee Van Cleef

[kathyyore]

He was in a little known TV show called The Master. It was awesome. I knew him from movies but became a total fan after that.

[arnellamahoney]

I liked him in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York as well as the Spaghetti Westerns.

[hershelwatson]

I was in the Navy, Sailors are the best. Thanks for sharing this information.

Go Navy!

[robertjanicki]

Lee was very good at being very bad in the western movies he appeared. He really made people believe he was mean and very bad. And afterall is said and done, that is the job of a good actor. Make viewers believe you really are the character you are portraying. Lee convinced me in every role he played that he really was that character. Lee's life may have been shortened, but his life as an actor was full of enduring successes. RIP Lee, you were a very good actor and you are not forgotten.

[briang.]

Escape from N.Y. one of his best roles. He was perfect in that part.

[lianefehrle]

4:49 Right here I see on his hand holding the star, one of his fingers tip is missing.!

[fredcolon]

Can't go wrong with a guy from Jersey, great actor, war hero, and human being..

[Mr-Dutchy-Dutch]

he always played a great bad guy and he played them well R.I.P Lee Van Cleef