Lee Van Cleef - The Ultimate Bad Guy | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: 02/09/1984
#johnnycarson #thetonightshow #leevancleef

[@joelswenson92]

The good the bad and the ugly. Perfection. It's so disgusting how that movie didn't win any academy awards at the time. A masterpiece

[@gookey9924]

Probably because the academy council likely thought a spaghetti western was beneath them.

[@RockinProfessor]

I remember how disgusted I was when Walter Matthau, in some dumb bedroom Comedy, won 'Best Supporting Actor' over Eli Wallach's "Tuco" at that years Academy Awards.....

[@RedNovaMedia]

Excellent point

[@charlesflinnill978]

One of my 2 favorite movies, the other, "The Magnificent seven ".

[@hamit480]

The academy should regret about that, good bad ugly>academy

[@drumsport]

Great actor. By the accounts I've read, a decent human being and a fine family man. RIP Sir.

[@josephkelley8641]

Lee had the entire package. Was the entire package. Made a great Heavy/Villain.

[@HighMo]

He was actually an accountant before he got into acting.

[@alan30189]

@@HighMo You can listen!

[@antoniopacheco7228]

O mestre

[@RickAP]

LEGEND

[@johnroberts8475]

Lee appears to be one of the most down to earth actors Jonny has interviewed.

[@sketchartist1964]

The best are usually the humble ones.

[@repent.sinner]

Yeah he's pretty genuine for such a big time star, same as probably the goat Gene Hackman very genuine guy.

[@matimus100]

Looks can be deserving

[@andyny29]

R.I.P. Lee Van Cleef only 64 when he passed. So great in “For a few dollars more” and “the good, the bad and the ugly.”

[@davidgeoghegan8506]

Don't forget it conquered the world

[@pietropaolo7935]

He Will be Forever sergent sentenza.

[@josephkelley8641]

Lee a giant in Lee's own right.

[@MrARhodes]

Currently Binge Watching Both.

[@r3b3lvegan89]

Don’t forget Escape From New York he was the police chief

[@albertp-w4d]

*LEGEND* NOTHING Less than a Legend 👑 The young generations will never understand who Lee Van Cleef was.

[@LaughingLion4Ever]

Lee Van Cleef exudes cool. Even now years later you can see it.

[@michellemcferrin7759]

Johnny Carson was the BEST late night host...and Even if they replayed his old stuff...it would be more entertaining than what they have on TV today!!!

[@nickrich56]

The Carson Show is broadcast nightly on Antenna TV. No cable needed.📺

[@dw3562]

We're correct nowadays. It's all about politics.

[@dorothydivis6592]

I loved seeing him in so many movies. He was a great actor. RIP Lee. I'll miss you 🥺🥺🥺

[@Jaxon1776]

Johnny and Lee both have great voices. They talk like normal people having a conversation. I miss that about late night TV

[@steveprudell9976]

Absolutely

[@BELCAN57]

And without controversy.

[@steveprudell9976]

@@BELCAN57 loved to watch tonight show with Johnny Carson funny entertainment , even back then I'd look forward to his monologues.well 😒 glad I can U tube when I spot an interesting one on goggle feed like this one Lee thanks 👍 great stuff and what he and then Jonny said about about Hero Tony Bennett, great job.thanks

[@anagram8]

Excellent observation

[@Mattlock52]

Cigarettes lol

[@t4texastom587]

Thank you Sir, for serving and defending our country. A N D thank you for playing in and starring in so many great westerns through the years. R. I. P. Lee🇺🇲Van🇺🇲Cleef

[@jansku788]

Lee Van Ceef had 110% charisma

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

He had a magnetic charisma on screen that immediately grabbed the viewer's attention. He could say so much with just his eyes and facial expressions without having to say a word.

[@Martin-iv6lq]

I would agree if you subtracted about 90%

[@cynthiaquinn747]

Is this the guy on the Gun smoke episode where they were busting up the newspaper printing place? Yes that's him, he was one of them bad guys busting up the newspaper place, but he wasn't doing much damage,, he was just assing around LOL😆

[@ChuckNorrisUltra]

He has a mischievous grin as well

[@yormaynbeni7387]

There is an actor in Turkey who slightly resembles Lee Van Cleef. Name: Kenan İmirzalıoğlu

[@claudiocorleone7856]

Lee’s presence on screen is unforgettable no matter what roll he plays. Wether it’s a character actor or main heavy. Lee Marvin had the same presence on screen. Those spaghetti westerns will immortalized lee for ever!

[@nickmitsialis]

Ol' Marvin LOOKED like he could squash you==and would do so, with no provocation. Van Cleef seemed to have a placid life outside of the movies.

[@antronshumpert4266]

Angel eyes, sinister!

[@phillp7777]

role

[@ontologicallysteve7765]

He was never better than when he was portraying a cinnamon roll. However, when he went full-method as a dinner roll, the performance was incomprehensible.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

​@@ontologicallysteve7765 OMG, that is hilariously funny, and I get it, and I am totally Loving it !!! Hahaha, what a scream !

[@Harpo.jr70]

One of my favorite actors. Thank you Lee , you were always convincing in your roles.

[@Inky1967]

As a young girl I absolutely LOVED Lee Van Cleef. He was my first CRUSH! I fell for his sexy villainous look when dad watched the Good the Bad and the Ugly, Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. It was always playing somewhere on tv, so Dad would always turn it on when it was on the schedule. Anyhow, I’m pretty sure Lee Van Cleef was the model for the men I found myself quite drawn to as a young woman…and today!

[@alotofjobs4276]

Rip lee van clef one of my favourite actors

[@chriskroll4166]

Right now I am in the middle of watching every Lee Van Cleef movie he was ever in. And I am also pulling up all the TV shows he appeared in the 60's .

[@normanby100]

@@chriskroll4166 Women are always attracted to complete bastards.

[@asmodeus0454]

Lee Van Cleef was one of those great journeyman actors that appeared in the 1950s and 60s that we boomers grew up with in the movies and greatly miss. Rest easy, Lee, we loved and still love your work!

[@Retro_Man_76]

And the 70s too!

[@i-neighborhood]

Thanks for posting this. I love Lee Van Cleef. Enjoyed this interview. Johnny still the King of late night. I don't know what this other stuff is about. I want entertainment not heavy politics and vitriol. A showman for the ages.

[@russell3380]

I left "late night TV" when Craig Ferguson did. Nothing but politicized garbage now.

[@chirelle.alanalooney8609]

​@@russell3380 Yeah, so did I. Craig Ferguson was great. I never bothered with watching, or hearing, any of the rest of them out there. It was Johnny & Craig were my two favorites. If Jay Leno had stayed on Johnny's show, I would have continued to watch it because I liked Jay and thought he was funny.

[@rustybearden1800]

How wonderful! One of my all time favorite actors, westerns or otherwise, comes on the JC Show and he's elegant, smart, funny and relatable. Everyone knows the intense stare, the prominent nose, the chiseled face, his infamous clipped finger. This cat was always scary without saying a word and here he is, polite and charming as Sunday morning and from NJ of all places. A former accountant(?) Wow! There aren't many interviews of Lee Van Cleef. What a great insight into one of Hollywood's most iconic stars.

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

The Jersey accent was strong in this interview. I'm from New Jersey myself

[@rustybearden1800]

@@TracySmith-xy9tq hey! Whoa - get outta here!😁

[@erwinmonti5066]

Without a doubt this guy was one of the greatest actors that we've ever had. Always playing the part of the villain never hurt this guy once at all..

[@nightrider5109]

I couldn't agree with u more ! 1 of the all time greats ! Saw him on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show

[@williambilyeu9801]

I liked him since he played the heroic sniper in "The Beast from 20,000 Fantoms." I also was fan of "The Master," which was short-lived.

[@nightrider5109]

@@williambilyeu9801 I remember Masters with Timothy Van Patten

[@alan30189]

He must not have watched many of his movies, because he wasn’t “always playing the part of the villain.”

[@robneal2585]

i am a super huge fan of Mr. Cleef. Very inspiring one-of-a-kind personality. RIP Sir

[@grokeffer6226]

I didn't realize that Mr. Van Cleef was so tall. He's in my top five favorites actors in Western movies.

[@sherryhoskins8771]

I was thinking the same thing

[@Glostahdude]

Love Westerns! And Mr van Cleef has been in a few! Great ones at that too!

[@grokeffer6226]

@@Glostahdude I really liked him in For a Few Dollars More. But he was always good in everything I've seen him in.

[@mikeg6666]

@@Glostahdude Sabato and Few Dollars More were classics!

[@petesmitt]

6' 1¾" (1.87 m) was his height; not that tall but he wore high heels.

[@rongendron8705]

Lee Van Cleef, Jack Palance, Lee Marvin, Henry Silva & a few others, were the the great "heavies" in many 1950's movies! Unlike Marvin & Palance, Van Cleef never progressed to 'leading man' status! Regrettably, they have all passed away & are sadly missed by millions of aging "baby boomers", like me! R.I.P. et al!

[@shawnj1966]

He had a lot of success over in Europe as a lead in several spaghetti westerns. All in all he had a pretty good career compared to the vast majority of actors.

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

He had some movies where he got top billing and/or "got the girl".

[@manxlucky]

Henry Silva could be one scary due.

[@zaidaroman7082]

I love Van Cleef a great actor, very handsome, RIP he passed away so young.

[@robertferguson5562]

64, not young

[@Zekmakou]

​@robertnowadays 64 is youngferguson5562

[@AlexFeltcha.k.a.SonicAL]

Lee Van Cleef is my idol! My hero! Has been since I was 10 1/2 years old. Sergeant "Angel Eyes" Sentza a.k.a. Il Cattivo is & always will be my favorite characters he ever portrayed in "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" (1966), along with Colonel Douglas Mortimer in "For A Few Dollars More" (1965) & Police Commissioner Bob Hauk in "Escape From New York" (1981)!

[@ginor8416]

Amen to that brother. Arguably the best movie ever made

[@ginor8416]

From a Few Dollars More: I wish you luck. What a powerful performance.

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

If you want more Lee checkout "A day of anger", its on here and its really good.....

[@AlexFeltcha.k.a.SonicAL]

@@dangerdavefreestyle🤠I've seen it & I so LOVE "Day Of Anger" as well! I LOVE the Cast & music in that movie! Lots of other talented Spaghetti Western Veteran Actors were in that movie which also made me wanna see it even more! Oh boy & 3 different kinds of Outlaw Gangs were in that movie which made the movie even more spectacular when it came to the gun battle scenes! 😀😉😁🤠

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

Barquero and Death Rides a Horse are good, too

[@mariamorizzi6519]

Rest in peace Lee, thank you for all the beautiful hours you gave me watching you in the greatest westerns . Still watching you on videos .

[@bacchuslax7967]

July 27, 2023 and Tony just passed away a few days ago. RIP all of you

[@cetinmetin9193]

Lee Van Cleef gibi karizmatik oyuncular artık yok. R.I.P 🍁

[@jimc.goodfellas]

That guy was awesome in The Good the Bad and the Ugly

[@mdteletom1288]

He was even better as Colonel Mortimer in For A Few Dollars More.

[@siggylloyd3566]

And boy was he Ugly.

[@jimc.goodfellas]

Yeah that's right I had forgotten that one

[@eddiep147]

The first movie I saw him in was the classic sci-fi movie The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. He had a bit part near the end. He played the sharpshooter who helped kill the beast....also he lost part of his right middle finger in an accident at home.

[@1968-b3n]

if im not mistaken wasnt He in Kansas City Confidential in 1952

[@franknemeth7430]

The Best - another one of these actors who were born to do what they did .

[@Chuck_Hooks]

Those great bad guy roles with Clint Eastwood. Great career.

[@daedralord1]

Don’t forget he played a good guy and a bad guy in the dollar trilogy

[@robertmcpherson1617]

@@daedralord1 I was about to write that! 😄

[@stephenburke5967]

Everything I've heard or read Lee was an absolute gentleman of the highest order.

[@psw4763]

Excellent villain actor. His presence resonated past the screen and scared you silly. Very tall man for sure. Love these wonderful shows and great actors like Mr. Van Cleef.

[@everdinestenger1548]

I came by this show accidentally and I am so happy to watch it. Lee van Cleef has always been one of my favorite actors and he seemed to be a lovely person

[@richardpare3538]

Even if the movie itself wasn''t that great, Lee always was great to watch. Excellent actor.

[@David-mp6vc]

There are just some actors that transend time. A true classic in a time when that word in Hollywood actually meant something. RIP Angel Eyes!

[@justbulma]

Just discovered his movies this year and absolutely love his work RIP you were an amazing man

[@muhammedrahman7013]

The Man The Myth The Legend! They Don't Make em like This Anymore! Lee Van Cleef, Legend!

[@QaineR]

He was one of the true original bad guys. We miss him.

[@pascibs1579]

Has been and will always be one of my favorite actors

[@mauriciomadureira2528]

Sou brasileiro e admirador do trabalho de Lee Van. Os filmes de faroeste, não seriam o que foi, sem a atuação dessa lenda e mito das antigas. Um dos melhores atores da época.

[@kenr9545]

He was one of those actors who just had a special bearing. Always enjoy his work no matter the medium.

[@bryanlund2730]

Lee and Jack Elam are my 2 favorite heavies in the western genre at that time.Late 1950s-late 1960s.

[@duncanbleak3819]

The very definition of an "iconic" actor. So many great roles! Including a magnificently varied performance in the films The Bravados(1958), and El Condor(1970).

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

Class will always come out. Lee Van Cleef just fantastic to watch in any film.

[@kellycoleman715]

Actors like Lee and Charles Bronson and George Kennedy and Lee Marvin worked for years and years with bit parts in movies before they finally broke out and became big stars.

[@ActraStunts]

always so much fun! every clip cheers me up ! Just awesome! feel like a kid again!

[@gcvincent3989]

Great actor great talent!

[@tonysmallwood4701]

Lee,you were a great villain and a great human.I loved your roles you played .You became the role you played.R.I.P. we love you

[@MaxiVera-p6m]

One of my favorite actors! I've gone back and rewatched alot of movies from the 60-70s era, and Lee was one of my favorites for sure.

[@Pulsonar]

Without Lee, Clint’s career probably would have stagnated in the Spaghetti western genre after ‘A fistful of dollars’. I recall being just as mesmerised by Lees incredible super cool portrayal as the relentless Bounty Hunter as I was by Clint and Gian Maria Volonte. All of them were absolutely great throughout the sequels, Lee adding an extra edge of meanness and cool, clever cunning.

[@davidchosewood647]

One of my favorite actors of all time. A really cool guy.

[@nickwhite4538]

Death Rides a Horse !! Can’t believe nobody mentioning it. Lee is awesome in it plus it’s definitely one of the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time.

[@TonySketo]

Definitely one of the best western movies!!!

[@PorkChopJones]

This is so great.... RIP Lee Van Cleef!

[@johnhoward2900]

I have a signed 8x10 studio photo of Lee from some 35-years-ago. I used to walk for health, and I would walk by his home in an exclusive area equipped with a boat dock. Lee would be out in his garage drinking and chain smoking cigarettes. A very friendly, humble, and likable guy. FYI: It was in Oxnard, California.

[@5pro479]

That is awesome! Did you ever encounter him around the time this interview was filmed?

[@Dan-nt2yb]

The Good, the bad and the ugly is the greatest film ever. Largely because of this man.😃

[@Lasselucidora]

No, not largely. Tuco 50%. Clint and Lee 25% each. :)

[@roomofidiots]

Cleef had such an other worldly look in those Eastwood flicks. Totally unique

[@HippiDreamer]

Huge fan here 🙌❤ Im 38 years old and he's my favourite actor ^^ Such a sweet, humble and cool man 😍 When i saw the first time Lee Van Cleef in the movie for a few dollars more I was shook, I was like whoaa who's that charismatic gunslinger!? Imagine yourselves in the studio there, shake his hand and take a signed autograph from him 🥲 Ahh i was born too late 😩 He's the most talented actor ever. Yeah his most iconic role is Angel eyes but my top 3 movies are: Death Rides a Horse, The Big Gundown, For a Few Dollars More 😎

[@wastehazey6468]

He had such a soothing voice

[@bonpourvous]

Never heard Lee interviewed before seems a real nice guy, and now I need to watch The Good The Bad and the Ugly again, oh and For a Few Dollars More, classic movies.

[@stevef1076]

played lead in a half decent western film called 'barquero' 1970.

[@tonylawrence9157]

Most likeable personality. I wish we could have him back. A beatiful person. Bloke from Aus.

[@jaym6501]

He is one of kind man. I like all his movies.

[@chriscosby2459]

Colonel Mortimer -- one of my favorite characters in a Western.

[@fzr1000981]

The scene from Good the Bad and the Ugly when he rides in from the desert as the little kid watches is unforgettable

[@Pulsonar]

Lee must have done documentary narration of one sort or another. That gravelly voice and story telling skills are 2nd to none, he was a total natural.

[@mohamedalijassem2904]

He deserves at least a minute of standing ovation.

[@peggygallagher5802]

What a Legend! I had no idea "Mr. Robert's" was his first "job". What a cast! Lee Van Cleef as Clint Eastwood's nemesis was spectacular- he was always fantastic! I sure miss that generation of talent on the stage and on screen !!!

[@shawnyoung8752]

And his first movie was High Noon. Not a bad start.

[@peggygallagher5802]

@@shawnyoung8752 Agreed! Have a wonderful day!

[@sampalmer9628]

I wonder why he and Eastwood never teamed up in later films

[@josephcrispino2171]

One of the greatest character actors of all time

[@TRIChuckles]

Wonderful.!

[@Meallion98]

LEGEND himself. Respect sir . We love you .

[@Robert-zr3xw]

Even Johnny Carson couldn't overshadow Lee. Now that's star power.

[@royholliday6655]

Fantastic actor, love all his western, RIP

[@ADF366]

Total and ultimate legend

[@robertoantonioramirezespin7206]

Number 1 lLee Van Clif ,👍👐👐👐👐👐💯

[@larryaldrich4351]

He always sees the job through.

[@jamesboon6367]

A,great actorof his time,i think shuld be amongstthe hollywoods greats,he deserved.......

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

I love Lee van Cleef ❤️. I'm surprised they didn't say anything about Bill Carson as a joke. For those who don't get this Bill Carson was the person Lee's character Angel Eyes was chasing in The Good The Bad and The Ugly

[@vincentcalcopietro6970]

Rip peace Sir a true kind hearted gentleman. 💐🙏💐🙏💐🙏

[@dwightengle8802]

Great actor. Nothing but love and respect.

[@nickrich56]

Tony Bennett is still with us, he's 96 !!!💖

[@theJohnGaltLine]

Such a legendary badass that Primus wrote a song about him in 2011.

[@guslevy3506]

One of my favorite actors of all time…Angel Eyes was perfectly played by Lee.

[@nelsoncamillodasilva778]

Excelente ator. Inesquecível. Volta Redonda RJ

[@julionosano9246]

what a great personality Van cleef had was what made him so great

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

Incredible, I was intimidated just listening to him speak!

[@robertblack3867]

The best western actor the world has ever seen.

[@waradi.alkhalijj7081]

This able artist represents a beautiful era of world cinema

[@robcreel4257]

Always a class act.

[@moffettcoates6455]

Great actor!

[@bobbreit5244]

What a cool dude. No wonder he was so good with Clint.

[@antoniopreviatti2618]

melhor ator Lee Van Cleef, saudades.

[@markwinnicki8802]

Mr van Cleef fine sir you are so very sadly missed you will always be remembered and will never be forgotten rip and may the good Lord keep love and take care of you god bless you I thank you for all of the great memories and most memorable movies you gave to all of us you were and will always be remembered as a real down to earth true gentleman

[@ibrahimabdullah7793]

I NEVER MISS HIS MOVIE. LEE VAN WAS GREAT ACTOR WITH VERY SPECIAL LOOK. ALLAHA ALMIGHTY BLESS HIS SOUL. AMIN.

[@jackspring7709]

Years ago in college we had a lecture from a costume designer who had worked in numerous films: when we asked her who was the nicest person she had ever worked with, without hesitation she said Lee Van Cleef - she said he was an absolute gentleman.

[@dannymarshburn2807]

Awesome Man! Brilliant Actor.

[@mohamedmoussaoui5502]

Lee Van Cleef était un très bon acteur ! On l'a toujours suivi depuis longtemps ! 👍

[@briang7307]

I Thank Lee Van Cleef for being the inspiration for Revolver Ocelot. I loved him in Escape from New York. He seemed cool. I seen behind the scene pics of him laughing with Kurt Russell and John Carpenter like they had a really GOOD time on set.

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

He was also the inspiration for the Star Wars character Cad Bane

[@conradsunkiojack2538]

Never seen another actor take his profession more seriously with total concentration in the part, and guaranteed to give his best all the time, probably maybe Burt Lancaster another natural legend on screen silver or colored.👍👏😂

[@marilynross5965]

love LeeVan Cleef always have in all his movies handsome too

[@DougPoulton]

He was great in "For a Few Dollars More" playing a hi-tech gunfighter with all those fancy rifle and pistol combinations. I thought he actually up-staged Clint Eastwood. He was excellent and we lost him way to early in life.

[@jamesedwards2237]

Check him out in the movie Sabata. He's pretty good in it!!

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

For a Few Dollars More was his movie and Clint was his sidekick. Wish they'd done more than just two movies together

[@MisanthropicTimeSlipperz]

Watch Death Rides a Horse and Day of Anger. Two other great movies of his.

[@dalewalker4666]

Absolutely loved him in a 'Few Dollars More' him and Clint really had a good partnership in that film.

[@tolvispelvis]

Such a genuine man.