
What's After the Movie
Sterling Walter Hayden, born Sterling Relyea Walter, was an American actor, author, sailor, model and Marine. Born on March 26, 1916, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, Hayden went on to be a leading man for most of his career, specializing in Westerns and film noir throughout the 1950s. Notably, he starred in films such as John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle, Nicholas Ray's Johnny Guitar, and Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. He found further success in the New Hollywood era, with notable roles in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, and Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove. Standing at an impressive 6 ft 5 in, Sterling had a commanding screen presence.
Beyond his acting career, Hayden was also an adventurer in his personal life, using his film earnings to finance his voyages as a sailor. He served as a decorated Marine Corps officer during World War II and an agent for the Office of Strategic Services. Early in his life, Hayden took a job at the age of 16 as mate on a schooner. His voyages ranged from sailing to Newport Beach, California, to skippering a trading schooner in the Caribbean after earning his master's license. Hayden was also a writer, living in Sausalito, California, while authoring his autobiography 'Wanderer', first published in 1963.
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Learn more about Sterling Hayden, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Sterling Hayden rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Sterling Relyea Walter
Born: Upper Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: March 26, 1916
Occupations: Actor, author, sailor, model, Marine, OSS agent
Years Active: 1941-1982
Children: 6
Spouses: Madeleine Carroll, Betty de Noon, Catherine Devine McConnell
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Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Sterling Hayden has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
18th British Academy Film Awards 1965
The Long Goodbye
The Killing
Johnny Guitar (re-release)
1900
The Asphalt Jungle
Kubrick by Kubrick
The Outsider
King of the Gypsies
The Star
Winter Kills
The Albatross
Venom
The Blue and the Gray
Nine to Five
Gas
Pharos of Chaos
Rat Pack
Pharos of Chaos
The Golden Hawk
The Eternal Sea
Crime Wave
The Cinema According to Bertolucci
Cry, Onion!
Angel’s Leap
Carol for Another Christmas
The Outsider
Variety Girl
Virginia
The Come On
Battle Taxi
Kansas Pacific
Prince Valiant
Ten Days To Tulara
Mario Puzo’s The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television
The Final Programme
Journey Into Light
Gun Battle at Monterey
Naked Alibi
Zero Hour!
Hellgate
Shotgun
Top Gun
Crime of Passion
El Paso
So Big
Johnny Guitar
Valerie
5 Steps to Danger
The Big Departure
Loving
Suddenly
Manhandled
Sweet Hunters
The Iron Sheriff
Hard Contract
Take Me to Town
Days of Wine and Roses
Denver and Rio Grande
Flat Top
Deadly Strangers
Arrow In The Dust
Track the complete movie timeline of Sterling Hayden, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1957
Gun Battle at Monterey
Jay Turner / John York
Zero Hour!
Captain Martin Treleaven
Valerie
John Garth
The Iron Sheriff
Sheriff Samuel Galt
1956
The Killing
The Come On
Dave Arnold
Crime of Passion
Lt. William Doyle
5 Steps to Danger
John Emmett
1955
The Eternal Sea
Rear-Adm. John Madison Hoskins
Battle Taxi
Capt. Russ Edwards
Shotgun
Clay Hardin
Top Gun
Rick Martin
1954
Prince Valiant
Sir Gawain
Naked Alibi
Joe E. Conroy
Johnny Guitar
Johnny 'Guitar' Logan
Suddenly
Sheriff Tod Shaw
Arrow In The Dust
Bart Laish
1953
Crime Wave
Det. Lt. Sims
Kansas Pacific
Capt. John Nelson
So Big
Pervis De Jong
Take Me to Town
Will Hall

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