Rod Steiger

Born:April 14, 1925

Place of Birth:Westhampton, New York, USA

Died:July 9, 2002

Known For:Acting

Biography

Rod Steiger, born Rodney Stephen Steiger on April 14, 1925, was a versatile American actor whose career spanned over five decades. He was known for his powerful and intense performances that left a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Steiger's ability to fully embody the characters he portrayed made him a standout talent in the film industry.

One of Steiger's most memorable roles was in the 1967 film "In the Heat of the Night," where he played the role of Police Chief Bill Gillespie. His portrayal of the racist police chief in a racially charged Southern town earned him critical acclaim and a Best Actor Academy Award. Steiger's dedication to his craft and his willingness to take on challenging roles set him apart as a true acting legend.

In addition to "In the Heat of the Night," Steiger delivered remarkable performances in a wide range of films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. From the musical "Oklahoma!" to the epic war film "Waterloo" and the emotional drama "The Pawnbroker," Steiger's filmography is a testament to his talent and range as an actor.

Steiger's collaborations with legendary directors such as Elia Kazan in "On the Waterfront" and David Lean in "Doctor Zhivago" further solidified his reputation as a skilled and respected actor in Hollywood. His ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters made him a sought-after talent in the industry.

One of Steiger's most underrated performances was in the boxing drama "The Harder They Fall," where he portrayed a corrupt boxing promoter. His ability to portray morally ambiguous characters with nuance and authenticity showcased his acting prowess and left a lasting impression on audiences.

Steiger's dedication to his craft extended beyond just film, as he also took on the role of Pontius Pilate in the epic miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth." His portrayal of the Roman governor in the biblical story demonstrated his versatility and commitment to bringing authenticity to every role he tackled.

Throughout his career, Steiger's performances resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning him numerous accolades and awards. His impact on the world of cinema is undeniable, and his legacy as a talented and dedicated actor continues to inspire aspiring performers to this day.

On July 9, 2002, Rod Steiger passed away, leaving behind a rich body of work that cements his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His contributions to the world of film will always be remembered, and his performances will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Mars Attacks!

General Decker

1996

A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.

The Amityville Horror

Father Delaney

1979

George Lutz, his wife Kathy, and their three children have just moved into a beautiful, and improbably cheap, Victorian mansion nestled in the sleepy coastal town of Amityville, Long Island. However, their dream home is concealing a horrific past and soon each member of the Lutz family is plagued with increasingly strange and violent visions and impulses.

Doctor Zhivago

Viktor Komarovsky

1965

The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist's wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution.

In the Heat of the Night

Police Chief Bill Gillespie

1967

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.

The Specialist

Joe Leon

1994

May Munro is a woman obsessed with getting revenge on the people who murdered her parents when she was still a girl. She hires Ray Quick, a retired explosives expert to kill her parent's killers. When Ned Trent, embittered ex-partner of Quick's is assigned to protect one of Quick's potential victims, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

The Longest Day

Destroyer Commander

1962

The retelling of June 6, 1944, from the perspectives of the Germans, US, British, Canadians, and the Free French. Marshall Erwin Rommel, touring the defenses being established as part of the Reich's Atlantic Wall, notes to his officers that when the Allied invasion comes they must be stopped on the beach. "For the Allies as well as the Germans, it will be the longest day"

End of Days

Father Kovak

1999

On 28 December 1999, the citizens of New York City are getting ready for the turn of the millennium. However, Satan decides to crash the party by coming to the city and searching for his chosen bride — a 20-year-old woman named Christine York. The world will end, and the only hope lies within an atheist named Jericho Cane.

Duck, You Sucker

Juan Miranda

1971

At the beginning of the 1913 Mexican Revolution, greedy bandit Juan Miranda and idealist John H. Mallory, an Irish Republican Army explosives expert on the lam from the British, fall in with a band of revolutionaries plotting to strike a national bank. When it turns out that the government has been using the bank as a hiding place for illegally detained political prisoners -- who are freed by the blast -- Miranda becomes a revolutionary hero against his will.

The Hurricane

Judge Sarokin

1999

The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.

On the Waterfront

Charley Malloy

1954

Terry Malloy is a kindhearted dockworker, and former boxer, who is tricked by his corrupt bosses into leading his friend to death. After falling in love, he tries to leave the waterfront and expose his employers.

The Player

Rod Steiger

1992

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?

Waterloo

Napoleon Bonaparte

1970

After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, the Duke of Wellington, beat Napolean's best generals in Spain and Portugal, but now must beat Napoleon himself with an Anglo Allied army.

Oklahoma!

Jud Fry

1955

In the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the twentieth century, two young cowboys vie with a violent ranch hand and a traveling peddler for the hearts of the women they love.

Lion of the Desert

Benito Mussolini

1981

This movie tells the story of Omar Mukhtar, an Arab Muslim rebel who fought against the Italian conquest of Libya during the second Italo-Senussi War. It gives western viewers a glimpse into this little-known region and chapter of history, and exposes the savage means by which the conquering army attempted to subdue the natives.

The January Man

Mayor Eamon Flynn

1989

Nick and Frank Starkey were both policemen. A scandal forced Nick to leave the force, now a serial killer has driven the police to take him back. A web that includes Frank's wife, bribery, and corruption all are in the background as Nick tries to uncover the secret of where the killer will strike next, and finally must lay a trap without the police.