The next stop in the Hall of Awesome is a fairly new discovery for me, but one I'm thoroughly enjoying and wished I had discovered sooner. Before Clint Eastwood, before Harvey Keitel there was Lee Marvin. Lee Marvin was an old school badass who was equally at home playing the bad guy as he was the good. Hell the man stared down The Duke himself John Wayne and held his own, now that's saying something.
Not only was Lee Marvin an on-screen badass he was one off screen as well. Marvin served as a Marine sniper in the Pacific Theater during World War II, where he participated in the invasion of 21 islands until he was wounded in The Battle of Saipan. Marvin received a medical discharge and was awarded a Purple Heart for his service.
Lee Marvin was a classic gritty tough guy. Strong jaw, check. Gravely voice, check. Cold hard stare, check. Swaggering strut, check. Lee Marvin had it all in spades, he practically radiated awesomeness on screen. Unfortunately Lee Marvin is no longer with us, he died of a sudden heart attack in 1987, but his legend will live on in all the memorable roles that he played.
Recommended Films:
Point Blank, The Dirty Dozen, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Professionals, The Big Red One, The Killers (1964), Cat Ballou, The Spikes Gang.
Recommended TV:
M Squad.
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