Rod Steiger

Rod Steiger.
Rod Steiger (1925–2002) was an American actor, noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often volatile and crazed characters. He is closely associated with the art of method acting, embodying the characters he played, which at times led to clashes with directors and co-stars. He starred with Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954), playing Charley, the mobster brother of Brando's character. He played the title character Sol Nazerman in The Pawnbroker (1964), and an opportunistic Russian politician in David Lean's Doctor Zhivago (1965). Steiger won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Mississippi police chief Bill Gillespie opposite Sidney Poitier in the film In the Heat of the Night (1967). During the 1970s, Steiger turned to European productions in his search for more demanding roles. He portrayed Napoleon in Waterloo (1970) and a Mexican bandit in Sergio Leone's Duck, You Sucker! (1971). He ended the decade playing a disturbed priest in The Amityville Horror (1979).