born May 31, 1930, San Francisco, Calif., U.S.
U.S. actor and director.
He won attention in the television series Rawhide (195966) before his roles in three of Sergio Leone 's "spaghetti westerns" (196466) made him an international star. He returned to the U.S. for the successful Dirty Harry (1971), the first of a series of action films in which he played laconic and dangerous heroes. He combined directing with acting in films such as Play Misty for Me (1971), Pale Rider (1985), Unforgiven (1992, Academy Award), A Perfect World (1993), and The Bridges of Madison County (1995). His interest in jazz led him to direct and produce Bird (1988), about Charlie Parker . His minimalist style of acting and direction garnered critical acclaim to accompany his long-established box-office success.