Harry Dean Stanton

Harry Dean Stanton (July 14, 1926 – September 15, 2017) was an American actor with a career spanning over six decades. He was best known for supporting roles in films including Cool Hand Luke (1967), Kelly's Heroes (1970), The Godfather Part II (1974), Alien (1979), and The Green Mile (1999), among others. He had rare lead roles in Paris, Texas (1984) and Lucky (2017). Stanton was born in West Irvine, Kentucky, to Sheridan Harry Stanton, a tobacco farmer, and barber and Ersel, a cook. His parents divorced during his high school years, and both later remarried. Stanton had two younger brothers and a younger half-brother, and his family had a musical background. He studied journalism and radio arts at the University of Kentucky, where he also performed at the Guignol Theatre. His notable wartime service in the U.S. Navy also included a stint as a cook.

He began his acting career in 1954, debuting in the TV series Inner Sanctum, and later appeared in films and TV shows throughout the years. Stanton was a favorite actor of directors, including Sam Peckinpah, John Milius, David Lynch, and Monte Hellman. He made his film debut in Tomahawk Trail (1957) and had both small and significant roles in numerous productions. Indeed, his breakthrough role was in Paris, Texas (1984), which earned him high acclaim. He also occasionally toured nightclubs as a singer and guitarist. In his personal life, Stanton never married but had short relationships, including one with actress Rebecca De Mornay. He passed away from heart failure at the age of 91 in Los Angeles, California.