Jack Palance ( PAL-əns; born Volodymyr Palahniuk (Ukrainian: Володимир Палагню́к); February 18, 1919 – November 10, 2006) was an American actor known for playing tough guys and villains. He was nominated for three Academy Awards, all for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for his roles in
Sudden Fear (1952) and
Shane (1953), and winning almost 40 years later for
City Slickers (1991). Born in Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, the son of Ukrainian immigrants, Palance served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He attended Stanford University before pursuing a career in the theatre. He made his film acting debut in
Panic in the Streets (1950). Following his roles in
Sudden Fear and
Shane, he starred as Count
Dracula ()