Palance

Palance was the stage name and later official legal name of American actor Jack Palance (born Volodymyr Palahniuk, February 18, 1919 – November 10, 2006). He was known for his intense, often menacing portrayals of villains in films and on television.

Palance, of Ukrainian descent, served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He initially pursued a career as a professional boxer under the name Jack Brazzo before turning to acting. He studied at Stanford University before commencing his acting career on stage in the late 1940s.

Palance's breakthrough role came with his Oscar-nominated performance as Lester Blaine in the 1952 film Sudden Fear. He received another Oscar nomination the following year for his role as Jack Wilson in Shane. He finally won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1991 for his role as Curly Washburn in the comedy City Slickers.

Throughout his career, Palance appeared in numerous films across various genres, including Westerns, war films, and horror films. Some of his notable works include Attack, The Professionals, Batman, and Young Guns. He also starred in the television series Ripley's Believe It or Not! from 1982 to 1986.

Palance's distinctive features, including his gaunt face and gravelly voice, contributed to his on-screen persona as a tough and often intimidating character. His career spanned over five decades, leaving a lasting impact on the world of film and television.