Jack Palance

 Jack Palance, born Volodymyr Palahniuk on February 18, 1919, in Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, was an American screen and stage actor renowned for his portrayals of tough guys and villains. He was the son of Ukrainian immigrants, Anna and Ivan Palahniuk. His father was an anthracite coal miner, and Palance himself worked in the coal mines during his youth. Before pursuing acting, Palance had a brief career as a professional boxer, fighting under the name Jack Brazzo.

Palance's early life was marked by hardship and resilience. He worked in the coal mines as a teenager, a grueling and dangerous job that left a lasting impression on him. Seeking a way out, he turned to boxing but soon realized that the theater offered a more appealing and less perilous career path. His athletic prowess earned him a football scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but he left after two years, disillusioned by the commercialization of college sports. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he served as a pilot. A severe training accident in 1943 resulted in significant injuries, including burns and head trauma, leading to his discharge in 1944. These injuries contributed to his distinctive, rugged appearance.
After the war, Palance attended Stanford University, where he initially studied journalism but soon switched to drama. He left just one credit shy of graduating to pursue acting full-time. His early years in New York were spent honing his craft under the tutelage of Michael Chekhov while working various odd jobs to support himself. He made his Broadway debut in 1947 in "The Big Two" and quickly gained recognition as Marlon Brando's understudy in "A Streetcar Named Desire," eventually taking over the role of Stanley Kowalski.
Palance's film career began with a bang when he made his big-screen debut in Elia Kazan's "Panic in the Streets" (1950). His portrayal of a gangster in the film was well-received, and it wasn't long before he earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in "Sudden Fear" (1952). The following year, he received another nomination for his role as the menacing gunfighter Jack Wilson in "Shane" (1953), a performance that cemented his status as one of Hollywood's premier villains.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Palance appeared in a variety of films, often playing tough, complex characters. He starred in crime dramas, Westerns, and war films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Notable roles during this period included his portrayal of Attila the Hun in "Sign of the Pagan" (1954), Simon Magus in "The Silver Chalice" (1954), and a leading role in Robert Aldrich's "Attack" (1956). He also earned critical acclaim for his performance in the television play "Requiem for a Heavyweight," for which he won an Emmy Award in 1957.
In the 1960s, Palance expanded his career internationally, working extensively in Europe. He delivered a memorable performance as a charismatic yet corrupt Hollywood producer in Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt" (1963). He continued to take on diverse roles, including the title character in the 1973 television film "Bram Stoker's Dracula," a portrayal that influenced future depictions of the character.
Palance's career saw a resurgence in the 1980s when he became a household name as the host of the television series "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" (1982-1986). This newfound popularity led to high-profile villain roles in blockbuster films such as "Young Guns" (1988) and "Tango & Cash" (1989). However, it was his role as Curly Washburn in the 1991 comedy "City Slickers" that earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His acceptance speech, during which he performed one-armed push-ups, became a legendary Oscar moment.
Off-screen, Palance was deeply involved in supporting the Ukrainian American community and served as the chairman of the Hollywood Trident Foundation. He was also a talented painter and poet, with his artworks often accompanied by his poetry. Palance's personal life included two marriages, first to Virginia Baker, with whom he had three children, and later to Elaine Rogers. He was a devoted father and took pride in his Ukrainian heritage, often visiting his family's homeland and participating in cultural events.
Jack Palance continued acting until his death from cancer on November 10, 2006, at the age of 87. His legacy as an actor is marked by his distinctive performances, his contributions to both American and international cinema, and his indelible mark on Hollywood history. Palance's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his induction into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum stand as testaments to his enduring impact on the entertainment industry.