#15: Lee Van Cleef

Lee Van Cleef’s rise as an antihero wasn’t just about his rugged looks. His sharp presence and intense performances made him a standout in Westerns. He first caught attention in High Noon, playing a quiet but menacing figure.

His roles in For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly solidified his place in the genre. He mastered the art of the cold stare and effortless cool. He left a lasting mark as a villain or a complex antihero.