Knowra Lee Marvin Lee Marvin Lee Marvin (1924–1987) was an American film and television actor known for his gravelly voice and portrayals of tough, often morally ambiguous characters. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Cat Ballou.
The Dirty Dozen : A 1967 war film about a group of military prisoners assigned a dangerous mission in occupied France. Marvin leads the ensemble as Major John Reisman, the officer who trains the prisoners.
John Boorman : An English film director whose films include Point Blank and Deliverance. Boorman directed Marvin in Point Blank, shaping its spare, modern style.
United States Marine Corps : A branch of the United States armed forces specializing in expeditionary operations. Marvin served in the Marine Corps during World War II before becoming an actor.
Academy Award for Best Actor : An annual award presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a leading film performance. Marvin won the award for Cat Ballou, a rare comedy-driven victory in the category.
Cat Ballou : A 1965 Western comedy starring Jane Fonda as a woman seeking revenge for her father's murder. Marvin's dual role as Kid Shelleen and Tim Strawn won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
John Wayne : An American actor closely associated with Westerns and heroic screen masculinity. Wayne's iconic heroism contrasts with Marvin's frequent portrayals of rough-edged antagonists.
World War II : A global war fought from 1939 to 1945 between the Axis powers and the Allies. His combat service in the Pacific connected his life to the war stories he later portrayed.
Western film : A film genre centered on the history, myths, and landscapes of the American West. Marvin's roles helped define the genre's screen image of the dangerous, charismatic gunman.
Point Blank : A 1967 crime film about a man pursuing revenge after his partner betrays him. Marvin's restrained performance as Walker anchors this stark crime thriller.
Jane Fonda : An American actor and political activist whose film career spans comedy, drama, and political films. She co-starred with Marvin in Cat Ballou, where his dual performance became the film's comic centerpiece.
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