--- name: "Lee Van Cleef" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lee-van-cleef" fi1m_id: "lee-van-cleef" imdb_id: "nm0001812" tmdb_id: 4078 wikidata_id: "Q193278" roles: ["Actor"] born: "9 January 1925" died: "16 December 1989" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-04T17:21:47.993387+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Lee Van Cleef ## Identity Lee Van Cleef - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lee-van-cleef - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lee-van-cleef - **IMDb ID:** nm0001812 - **TMDB ID:** 4078 - **Wikidata ID:** Q193278 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Van_Cleef, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193278, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001812/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4078 Actor. Born 9 January 1925 in Somerville, New Jersey, USA. Died 16 December 1989. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 9 January 1925, Somerville, New Jersey, USA - **Died:** 16 December 1989 - **Active:** 1952–1981 - **Also known as:** Clarence Leroy Van Cleef Jr., 李·范克里夫, 리 밴 클리프 - **Frequently works with:** [Alberto Grimaldi](https://film.one/person/alberto-grimaldi.md), [Clint Eastwood](https://film.one/person/clint-eastwood.md), [Luciano Vincenzoni](https://film.one/person/luciano-vincenzoni.md), [Luigi Pistilli](https://film.one/person/luigi-pistilli.md), [Sergio Leone](https://film.one/person/sergio-leone.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 86 (2), 1960s 80 (3), 1980s 76 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 74 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Western 5, Action 1, Science Fiction 1, Thriller 1 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $112m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Van_Cleef, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193278, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001812/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4078 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Ride Lonesome*](https://film.one/film/ride-lonesome.md) (83), [*Escape from New York*](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md) (76) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*](https://film.one/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.md) (92) - **Apple TV:** [*For a Few Dollars More*](https://film.one/film/for-a-few-dollars-more.md) (85) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Lee Van Cleef > Lee Van Cleef made intimidation look unhurried: a hard stare, a still body, no need to explain himself. We rate him highest with Sergio Leone, who knew when to let him stand still. Lee Van Cleef’s Angel Eyes holds still in *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966), and asking him a question looks unwise. We were uneasy watching him because he gives so little away while remaining so plainly threatening. There is no need for a speech to establish what sort of man this is. Sergio Leone gives that forbidding presence room, and Van Cleef is one reason we recommend a film whose wandering middle stretch still tests our patience. His first film part, the non-speaking Jack Colby in *High Noon* (1952), had already made use of his ability to intimidate without dialogue. Villains in Westerns and crime films followed through the 1950s and early 1960s, before Leone cast him as Colonel Douglas Mortimer opposite Eastwood in *For a Few Dollars More* (1965). That co-starring role revived his career and opened the way to leading parts such as Ryan in *Death Rides a Horse* (1967). That shift was welcome: his intimidating looks did not require him to play the same villain indefinitely. In *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*, his severity also makes the other actors more interesting to watch. Eastwood’s Blondie is restrained too, but small changes in his expression invite attention; Van Cleef makes Angel Eyes harder to approach. Eli Wallach’s Tuco supplies the appetites, grievances and shamelessness that neither of the other men cares to display. We care most about Tuco, whose vulnerability Wallach keeps visible even when he is behaving badly. Van Cleef does not give us that warmth, nor would it help this particular performance. His later films became less reliable, and a recognisable presence could only do so much for them. We would not turn that decline into a judgement on every performance, but nor would we recommend a film simply because his name is on it. Leone remains the place to start. Give *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* the time it asks for, and watch how little Van Cleef needs to do. ## Biography Lee Van Cleef was an American actor. Born Clarence LeRoy Van Cleef Jr. on 9 January 1925 in Somerville, New Jersey, he died on 16 December 1989 in Oxnard, California. He began his career with a supporting role in *High Noon* (1952) and appeared in numerous Westerns and other films over the following decade. In the mid-1960s, Sergio Leone cast him in leading roles in *For a Few Dollars More* (1965) and *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966). Van Cleef went on to star in further Spaghetti Westerns including *Death Rides a Horse* (1967) and later appeared in films such as *Escape from New York* (1981). He worked in film and television for nearly 40 years. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) - *Escape from New York* (1981), Fi1m 76, as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk — [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md) - *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966), Fi1m 92, as Sentenza / Angel Eyes — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.md) - *For a Few Dollars More* (1965), Fi1m 85, as Col. Douglas Mortimer — [page](https://film.one/film/for-a-few-dollars-more.md) - *How the West Was Won* (1962), Fi1m 62, as River Pirate — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md) - *Ride Lonesome* (1959), Fi1m 83, as Frank — [page](https://film.one/film/ride-lonesome.md) - *High Noon* (1952), Fi1m 88, as Jack Colby — [page](https://film.one/film/high-noon.md) ## Complete filmography (143) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Peter Baumgartner, Filmkameramann* (2014), as (archive footage) - *Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor* (2000), as Col. Douglas Mortimer (archive footage) - *Thieves of Fortune* (1990), as Sergio Danielo Christophero - *Speed Zone* (1989), as Grandfather - *The Commander* (1988), as Col. Mazzarini - *Armed Response* (1986), as Burt Roth - *Jungle Raiders* (1985), as Warren - *The Master Ninja 5* (1985), as John Peter McAllister - *Code Name: Wild Geese* (1984), as Archie 'China' Travers - *Killing Machine* (1984), as Julot - *The Master* (1984), series, as John Peter McAllister - *Master Ninja* (1984), as John Peter McAllister - *Master Ninja II* (1984), as John Peter McAllister - *Escape from New York* (1981), as Police Commissioner Bob Hauk — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md) - *The Octagon* (1980), as McCarn - *The Hard Way* (1980), as McNeal - *The Squeeze* (1978), as Chris Gretchko / Ray Sloan - *The Perfect Killer* (1977), as Harry Chapman - *Nowhere to Hide* (1977), as Ike Scanlon - *Kid Vengeance* (1976), as McClain - *God's Gun* (1976), as Father John / Lewis - *Take a Hard Ride* (1975), as Kiefer - *The Stranger and the Gunfighter* (1974), as Dakota - *Mean Frank and Crazy Tony* (1973), as Frankie - *The Grand Duel* (1972), as Sheriff Clayton - *The Magnificent Seven Ride!* (1972), as Marshal Chris Adams - *Captain Apache* (1971), as Capt. Apache - *Bad Man's River* (1971), as Roy King - *Return of Sabata* (1971), as Sabata / Major - *Barquero* (1970), as Travis - *El Condor* (1970), as Jaroo - *Sabata* (1969), as Sabata - *Commandos* (1968), as MSgt. Sullivan - *Beyond the Law* (1968), as Billy Joe Cudlip - *Day of Anger* (1967), as Frank Talby - *Death Rides a Horse* (1967), as Ryan - *The Big Gundown* (1967), as Jonathan Corbett - *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966), as Sentenza / Angel Eyes — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.md) - *For a Few Dollars More* (1965), as Col. Douglas Mortimer — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/for-a-few-dollars-more.md) - *Laredo* (1965), series, Actor - *My Mother the Car* (1965), series, Actor - *Branded* (1965), series, Actor - *The Dakotas* (1963), series, Actor - *How the West Was Won* (1962), as River Pirate — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md) - *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* (1962), as Reese - *Posse from Hell* (1961), as Leo - *Stagecoach West* (1960), series, as Lin Hyatt - *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Skip - *The Slowest Gun in the West* (1960), as Sam Bass - *Mr. Lucky* (1959), series, as Kruger - *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Frank Diamond - *Hawaiian Eye* (1959), series, Actor - *The Alaskans* (1959), series, Actor - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Steinhart — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *Law of the Plainsman* (1959), series, as Tracey - *The DuPont Show with June Allyson* (1959), series, as Peak - *Riverboat* (1959), series, as Luke Cragg - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Appling - *The Deputy* (1959), series, as Cherokee Kid - *Ride Lonesome* (1959), as Frank — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/ride-lonesome.md) - *Black Saddle* (1959), series, as Frank Sandoe - *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Fred Grant, Deck Sommers - *Guns Girls and Gangsters* (1959), as Mike Bennett - *Machete* (1958), as Miguel - *77 Sunset Strip* (1958), series, as Majeski - *Lawman* (1958), series, as Deputy Clyde Wilson, Ned Scott - *Yancy Derringer* (1958), series, as Ike Milton - *The Rifleman* (1958), series, Actor - *Bronco* (1958), series, as Shanghai Williams - *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, as Jumbo Kane - *The Bravados* (1958), as Alfonso Parral - *The Young Lions* (1958), as 1st Sgt. Rickett - *Day of the Badman* (1958), as Jake Hayes - *The Tin Star* (1957), as Ed McGaffey - *Raiders of Old California* (1957), as Damon Pardee - *Joe Dakota* (1957), as Adam Grant - *Gun Battle at Monterey* (1957), as Kirby - *Tombstone Territory* (1957), series, as Sam Carver - *Zorro* (1957), series, Actor - *Casey Jones* (1957), series, as Mort Clio - *Trackdown* (1957), series, as Ben Fraser - *Maverick* (1957), series, Actor - *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as Edward Doyle - *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Rufe Beal - *Have Gun, Will Travel* (1957), series, as Golias, Corbin - *The Quiet Gun* (1957), as Doug Sadler - *Last Stagecoach West* (1957), as Steve Margolies - *Richard Diamond, Private Detective* (1957), series, as Ed Murdock - *The Lonely Man* (1957), as Faro - *Gunfight at the O.K. Corral* (1957), as Ed Bailey - *China Gate* (1957), as Maj. Cham - *The Badge of Marshal Brennan* (1957), as Shad Donaphin - *Accused of Murder* (1956), as Police Sgt. Emmett Lackey - *Wire Service* (1956), series, as Al Sanders - *State Trooper* (1956), series, as Frank Parnessa - *Pardners* (1956), as Gus - *It Conquered the World* (1956), as Dr. Tom Anderson - *Tribute to a Bad Man* (1956), as Fat Jones - *The Conqueror* (1956), as Chepei - *The Vanishing American* (1955), as Jay Lord - *A Man Alone* (1955), as Clanton - *The Adventures of Champion* (1955), series, as Frank - *Cheyenne* (1955), series, as Braden, Harry Bittercreek Bartender - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Rad, John Hooker, Ike Jeffords - *The Naked Street* (1955), as Harry Goldish (uncredited) - *The Road to Denver* (1955), as Pecos Larry - *I Cover the Underworld* (1955), as Flash Logan - *Buffalo Bill Jr.* (1955), series, Actor - *The Big Combo* (1955), as Fante - *Ten Wanted Men* (1955), as Al Drucker - *Treasure of Ruby Hills* (1955), as Frank Emmett - *Studio 57* (1954), series, as Tommy - *Dawn at Socorro* (1954), as Earl Ferris - *Princess of the Nile* (1954), as Hakar (uncredited) - *The Desperado* (1954), as Paul Clayton/Buck Clayton - *The Yellow Tomahawk* (1954), as Fire Knife - *Arrow In The Dust* (1954), as Tillotson Henchman - *Rails Into Laramie* (1954), as Ace Winton - *Gypsy Colt* (1954), as Hank - *Stories of the Century* (1954), series, as Jesse James - *Annie Oakley* (1954), series, as Amos Belcher, Tim Brennan - *The Nebraskan* (1953), as Pvt. Reno Benton - *Tumbleweed* (1953), as Marv - *Jack Slade* (1953), as Bolt Mackay - *City Detective* (1953), series, Actor - *Vice Squad* (1953), as Pete Monty - *Arena* (1953), as Smitty - *The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms* (1953), as Corp. Stone - *White Lightning* (1953), as Brutus Allen - *The Bandits of Corsica* (1953), as Nerva - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Dave Rudabaugh - *The Lawless Breed* (1952), as Dirk Hanley - *Kansas City Confidential* (1952), as Tony Romano - *The Ford Television Theatre* (1952), series, as Stanley Perrin - *Cavalcade of America* (1952), series, as 1st Mate Hawl Finch - *Four Star Playhouse* (1952), series, as Bob Wheeler aka Sonora Kid - *Untamed Frontier* (1952), as Dave Chittun - *High Noon* (1952), as Jack Colby — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/high-noon.md) - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Dallas Clancy, Larkin, Sheriff, Wink, Cowboy - *Boston Blackie* (1951), series, as Captain Jansen, Lou - *The Adventures of Kit Carson* (1951), series, Actor - *The Gene Autry Show* (1950), series, as Hod - Henchman, Henchman Ray - *The Lone Ranger* (1949), series, as Bull Harper, Jango ## Gallery - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-1160ea15a02b.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Giulio Petroni (director)PEC/United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Lee_Van_Cleef_-_Death_Rides_A_Horse_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Graffiti en Barañain (Navarra) (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-4349c097e44c.jpg) Graffiti en Barañain (Navarra) (2013) — Zarateman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Bara%C3%B1ain_-_Graffiti_40.jpg/1280px-Bara%C3%B1ain_-_Graffiti_40.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Cseh Tamás emléktáblája (Budapest I. kerület, Iskola utca 35/b); az emléktáblán szereplő nevek Cseh Tamás-dalok szereplői: 2. emelet: Vetró Irén, Fáskertiné, Bí (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-867d74f301bd.jpg) Cseh Tamás emléktáblája (Budapest I. kerület, Iskola utca 35/b); az emléktáblán szereplő nevek Cseh Tamás-dalok szereplői: 2. emelet: Vetró Irén, Fáskertiné, Bí (2016) — misibacsi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Cseh_Tam%C3%A1s_eml%C3%A9kt%C3%A1bl%C3%A1ja_%28Budapest_I._ker%C3%BClet%2C_Iskola_utca_35b%29.jpg/1280px-Cseh_Tam%C3%A1s_eml%C3%A9kt%C3%A1bl%C3%A1ja_%28Budapest_I._ker%C3%BClet%2C_Iskola_utca_35b%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![This is a replica of the Old North Church in Boston. It is located on the grounds of Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, California. Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills is (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-4de1d38e11ff.jpg) This is a replica of the Old North Church in Boston. It is located on the grounds of Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, California. Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills is (2009) — Rennett Stowe from USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Forest_Lawn_Hollywood_Hills_%283338154355%29.jpg/1280px-Forest_Lawn_Hollywood_Hills_%283338154355%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-53e32b46bab4.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-7f9610b49eab.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-0ffd93b8e591.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB - ![Lee Van Cleef & Dona Drake in Kansas City Confidential - cropped screenshot (1952)](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-24e5d782aa82.jpg) Lee Van Cleef & Dona Drake in Kansas City Confidential - cropped screenshot (1952) — film screenshot (Edward Small Prod. / United Artists), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Lee_Van_Cleef-Dona_Drake_in_Kansas_City_Confidential.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lee Van Cleef as John Peter McAllister (Lee Van Cleef), an aging ninja master, on "The Master". (1983)](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-82bc10883197.jpg) Lee Van Cleef as John Peter McAllister (Lee Van Cleef), an aging ninja master, on "The Master". (1983) — NBC Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Lee_Van_Cleef_%22The_Master%22_%281983_NBC_press_photo%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-2e16ef0baedd.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-6e6b3acf1e49.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB - ![Lee Van Cleef](https://film.one/media/person/102198/gallery-3a7c7d80fb3e.jpg) Lee Van Cleef — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Golden Boot Awards 1983: Golden Boot Awards (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lee-van-cleef