Brian Donlevy

Biography: American actor Brian Donlevy joined the Army in his teens, going on to become a pilot in World War I. In 1924 he began his career in bit parts on Broadway and in New York films. Gradually he began landing bigger roles, but his screen career didn't begin in earnest until the mid-'30s when he began playing tough, sadistic villain roles. For his work in Beau Geste (1939), Donlevy received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Besides playing heavies, he also played numerous tough-guy heroes, and occasionally had comedic roles. He remained fairly busy onscreen through the late '60s. He was married to actress Marjorie Lane.