Date of Birth : Nov 4th 1918
World War II veteran stationed in France as an infantryman.Wounded in leg by shrapnel and was hospitalized for nine months. He walked with a limp for the rest of his life.
Won the Academy Award for playing the 72-year-old Harry in the sentimental film “Harry and Tonto.” He was only 55 at the time but used makeup, grew a mustache, whitened his hair and stopped masking his limp.
Suffered a nervous breakdown over the end of his 25-year marriage to wife Jean due to his addictions to alcohol, amphetamines and barbiturates. After recovering fully in the 70s, he not only won an Oscar award but also his wife. They remarried.