Lee Marvin

American actor

Born: February 19, 1924 · Died: August 29, 1987

Famous Persons

Lee Marvin — Image via Wikimedia Commons or Wikipedia.

Overview

Legacy

Although initially typecast as the "heavy" (i.e.

Legacy

villainous character), he later gained prominence for portraying anti-heroes, such as Detective Lieutenant Frank Ballinger on the television series M Squad (1957–1960).

Who was Lee Marvin?

Lamont Warren Marvin Jr. (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987), known as Lee Marvin, was an American film and television actor. He was also a descendant of the Lee family of Virginia. He was also a decorated United States Marine during the Second World War. Although initially typecast as the "heavy" (i.e. villainous character), he later gained prominence for portraying anti-heroes, such as Detective Lieutenant Frank Ballinger on the television series M Squad (1957–1960). Lamont Warren Marvin Jr., known as Lee Marvin, was an American film and television actor.

Picture of Private Lee Marvin, USMC, as listed in the "Red Book", 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division, published in 1943

Historical significance

Known for his bass voice and prematurely white hair, he is best remembered for playing hardboiled "tough guy" characters. He received various accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two BAFTA Awards. Marvin's notable roles in film included Vince Stone in The Big Heat (1953), Liberty Valance in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), Charlie Strom in The Killers (1964), Rico Fardan in The Professionals (1966), Major John Reisman in The Dirty Dozen (1967), Walker in Point Blank (1967), Ben Rumson in Paint Your Wagon (1969), the Sergeant in The Big Red One (1980), and Jack Osborne in Gorky Park (1983).

Lee Marvin in "The Grave", a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Wikipedia source

Cite this page

MLA

“Lee Marvin.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/lee-marvin/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

APA

Lee Marvin. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/lee-marvin/

Chicago

“Lee Marvin.” thisDay. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/lee-marvin/.

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