10 Best Classic Hollywood Tough Guys
The classic tough guy. Old Hollywood was full of them. Some were tough guys up on the silver screen while others were tough guys in real life. Some were the good kind of tough guy, battling to save the honor of a woman, while others were the kind of guy who would slap a woman around for sassing him. Many would do both – on and off the screen. Whatever the case, here are some of the best tough guys from the Golden Age of Hollywood. There are countless others that could have made this list if only they were a little bit tougher. Tough guys like Edward G. Robinson Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Quinn, James Coburn, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Telly Savalas and the one I am most disappointed about not finding a spot for, George Raft. So, without further ado, here are my choices for the ten best Hollywood Tough Guys – and a pair of rather interesting special mentions.
Special Mention #1: John Wayne
On screen, The Duke was one of the toughest guys around. Most enemies would fall to his near-epic toughness. He kicks Monty Clift’s ass in Red River while simultaneously teaching him to be as tough as he was. He takes down everyone in his path when searching for and rescuing Natalie Wood in The Searchers. Outnumbered and outgunned, the bad guys still are no match for Wayne and his ragtag bunch in Rio Bravo. No doubt that John Wayne was tough up on the silver screen. The reason he doesn’t make the list proper is his off-screen persona. I can’t help but have a problem with a guy who played war heroes on the big screen while pulling every string he knew how to keep himself from being drafted into World War II. But still, he did kick major ass up on the big screen.
Special Mention #2: Barbara Stanwyck
Yes, I know, Barbara Stanwyck is a woman. Nonetheless, she deserves mention here as one of the greatest tough guys in classic Hollywood. Here is why: When filming Forty Guns for director Samuel Fuller, there was a rather dangerous stunt that the stuntmen refused to do. So what happened? Stanwyck went to Fuller and told him that she would do the stunt herself. Well lo and behold, Stanwyck did just that. So, after the then fifty-two year old actress showed up the so-called stuntmen, and they were probably laughing stocks for the rest of their careers, how can we not include her on any respectable tough guys list.
10. Charles Bronson
Definitely one of those aforementioned tough guys you would not want to piss off or meet in a dark alley. Bronson is a real man’s man. One of those quintessential tough guys, who don’t mince words – they just flatten you for standing up to them. Bronson made a lot of movies, many of them rather forgettable, though several of them quite spectacular, but they all have one thing in common – a man who would go out of his way to do what was right. Now granted, sometimes what he thought was right was not, but for the most part he was the anti-hero, who would go through hellfire to save those less fortunate than himself.
9. John Garfield
Playing toughs and rogues, brooding, rebellious, working-class character roles, but with a sensitive side rarely seen on the screen, the great, and sadly mostly forgotten John Garfield is one of my all-time favorite actors. At the onset of World War II, Garfield immediately attempted to enlist in the armed forces, but was turned down because of his heart condition. Frustrated, he turned his energies to supporting the war effort. He and actress Bette Davis were the driving forces behind the opening of the Hollywood Canteen, a club offering food and entertainment for American servicemen. He traveled overseas to help entertain the troops, made several bond selling tours and starred in a string of popular, patriotic films like Air Force, Destination Tokyo and Pride of the Marines . He will always be a great tough guy to me – both on and off the screen.
8. Richard Widmark
The first time I remember seeing Richard Widmark was in the excellent fifties film noir Pickup on South Street. He played a thug pickpocket who accidentally fell into a world of espionage. This is the kind of role, a rough and tumble rapscallion and reluctant hero, that Widmark could play so well. He would delve into some less than manly roles, but it was the tough guy image that made him the star he was in his day. He would later play a character who was so wicked that he was killed by thirteen different people. Widmark’s greatest role would come as a raging, maniacal sociopath in Kiss of Death.
7. John Cassavetes
Not only was John Cassavetes one of the toughest actors around in films like The Dirty Dozen and Machine Gun McCain, he was one of the bravest, boldest directors in the burgeoning new Hollywood of the 1960′s and 1970′s. A hard-drinking rebel (a lifestyle that would kill him dead at 59), Cassavetes was a strong advocate for an actor’s workshop. Through improvisation and a serious method acting style, he gave the films he directed an always fresh, always dangerous world all their own. He may have played the tough guy on film, but it was when he was behind the camera that Cassavetes became a real tough bastard.
6. Steve McQueen
He’s had books written about his coolness. He’s had songs praising his unique essence. He was a legend in his own lifetime. He was Steve McQueen. Sort of a sensitive tough guy (think James Dean meets Charles Bronson), McQueen would ply his trade in badass roles in films like The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Getaway and Bullitt. His tough guy image would be even more fulfilled by his love of auto and motorcycle racing, his seven demotions for acting the rebel while in the Marine Corps (he would eventually become a true Marine and be honorably discharged as a hero) and, well… just being Steve McQueen.
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46 Comments
I’d agree with most on your list, Kevyn. But, there’s no way I could leave off Kirk Douglas or Burt Lancaster, or Jack Palance. Hell, even Yul Brynner and Anthony Quinn. It’s very ‘tough’ to just cut it off at ten
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I did have a real difficult time stopping at ten (which I did not actually do thanx to a pair of special mentions). I wish I could have added Douglas, Lancaster, Brynner, Palance and Quinn, as well as Borgnine and Edward G. Robinson and Emil Jannings and (especially) George Raft, but I had to stop somewhere.
I like who you have at #1, but come on. Tougher than Cagney and Bogart?
Mitchum!!!
I’m surprised not to see Clint Eastwood on the list. I think he has proven over the decades his toughness and inherent machismo.
I really wasn’t counting Eastwood as classic. I know, he was born the same year as McQueen and made his film debut around the same time, so I suppose I should have, but alas, I did not. Definitely a tough guy though.
Hi, Kevyn and company:
Superb list!
I also concur with your selection of Robert Mitchum for the #1 spot.
An actor made for B&W, Noir and shadows. From Out Of The Past to Night Of The Hunter to Heaven Knows Mr. Allison and Thunder Road and Cape Fear . In some roles Mr. Mitchum could be positively, physically scary.
While in others. The Story of G.I. Joe , The Longest Day . Playing Phillip Marlowe in Farewell, My Lovely, The Big Sleep and a bravura performance in The Friends Of Eddie Coyle . Mitchum could play world weariness like nobody’s business.
Would also add Honorable Mention to James Coburn, Nick Nolte and Tim Thomerson for a secondary list.
Thanx. Coburn was one that just missed the cut. As for Nolte and Thomerson, they do not quite qualify as classic Hollywood.
Wow Kevyn, just wow! What a list!
This is just one of those topics where you know you that it’s going to be ridiculously hard to wittle down the list and settle on the final Top 10 Classic Hollywood Tough Guys. But you did a remarkable job and I just want to say congrats on a really well written article.
I am hesitent to say that I am not too familiar with the works of John Garfield, Richard Widmark, and Robert Ryan but you can stand proud knowing that I am inspired to go out and watch more of their films and see them in action.
If I had to choose my own personal list of classic tough guys, no doubt it would include Jimmy Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, and Robert Mitchum.
A personal favourite of mine is Cagney in “Angels with Dirty Faces”. It takes a tough man to do what he did at the end of the film, that’s for sure.
Lee Marvin was the epitome of cool and dangerous in ‘Point Blank’ which I loved!
And I can’t argue with you on your number 1 choice, ‘Night of the Hunter’ is just terrifying! Robert Mitchum possessed swagger, confidence, and a menacing presence that just made him incredibly watchable in that movie. Also I remember watching the original ‘Cape Fear’ and I was impressed with just how much Robert De Niro channelled Robert Michum in his performance.
Great article, really enjoyed the read!
Thanx. Glad you liked the piece. Garfield, Widmark and Ryan are definitely the most obscure ones on the list – sadly enough. You should enjoy much of their work though. Thanx again.
I like your list especially Stanwyck and Bob Ryan. Ryan does not get much recognition nowadays (or even back then at his peak) but he was awesome. I think that being under contract at RKO (one of the ‘smaller’ majors) may have contributed to that and also that Bob Mitchum was a star for them.
Jack Deth – do you have any insights on this aspect of Bob Ryan vs. Bob Mitchum? Want to make sure I have my facts straight.
I might put a punt in for Lancaster as well.
Thanx. Glad to see another Ryan fan out there. I am not sure what you are asking about Jack Deth. I know he is a character in the Trancers movies, but I have never seen them. What does it have to do with Mitchum and Ryan though?
I am asking the commenter Jack (see above) about it … he offers wonderful perspectives and insight on all things cinematic on my site, especially a lot of the classics.
That explains my bewilderment. So sorry.
Hi, Iluv:
You have a very valid point regarding Mr. Ryan. A superb actor who was more of a utility infielder. Who could handle any ensemble role; than a full fledged ‘Star’.
Excellent work in Crossfire, On Dangerous Ground and Sam Fuller’s House of Bamboo . Though he seemed to be more memorable when he was making others look better. As in Flying Leathernecks, Bad Day At Black Rock, The Professionals, The Wild Bunch and The Outfit .
It’s a fun list. I haven’t seen many black and white movie.I have heard of those actors…but I have only seen the old version of Charles Bronson. I like reading this because I know nothing about them. Thanks
Love this list. Great to see Mitchum at Number One…i certainly would not want to see his face in a dark alley!!
This list makes me painfully aware that I really haven’t seen enough classic films.
Great list, however, when I think back to Lee Marvin, all I can remember is the ‘Simpsons’ parody of ‘Paint My Wagon’…Also like yourself mentioned, there’s so many that you could include, i.e. Burt Lancaster, Raymond Burr or even Dennis O’Keefe, but your list is pretty much spot-on.
Yeah, any mention of Paint Your Wagon probably does no good to Marvin or Eastwood (or for that matter, Jean Seberg).
My top 10 would have to include Edward G. Robinson, but you make up for the omission by including John Garfield, long my favorite classic Hollywood actor. The last scene of “Body and Soul” perfectly encapsulates his unique brand of toughness.
That’s a damn fine list, and I was very pleasantly surprised to see Cagney on there.
A nice surprise seeing Mitchum at #1. I just saw The Night of the Hunter for the first time earlier this month, and I was blown away.
Great list. There’s some classic films I need to see again. Some, in fact, I’ve never seen. Time to put that right. But I cam’t argue with Robert Mitchum at 1, good choice.
I just saw Pickup on South Street for the first time this summer. What a great, underrated, undermentioned movie.
And while I have no qualms with Mitchum, and while there is no doubt that in a back alley brawl Mitchum could take Bogart, in a room with the only weapon being words (and cigarettes), I’m sorry, but Bogey takes him down.
Pickup on South Street was a rather forgotten movie until a restored print and a criterion disc changed all that a little while back.
As for Bogie taking down Mitchum in a battle of words (and cigarettes) – you may be right, but then Lauren Bacall would come in and take them both.
Touché, sir. Quintuple touché.
I’m hoping to see the original Cape Fear real soon, I’m sure Mitchum will live up to his tough guy rep. I’ve only seen Garfield in Gentleman’s Agreement, probably not a good film to judge his ‘bad ass’ cred as he’s such a nice fellow in it:)
I have a real problem with lists, best ofs etc…all the actors here are fantastic and impossible to hold one in any higher regard than another. There are also so many great names missing….Connery, Caine Eastwood, so many
I like the choices. Especially leaving John Wayne off the list for being a phony tough guy. Not to mention he sold out his colleagues to HUAC during the blacklist era. Not quite what a real tough guy would do.
Bogey also backed out of his support for the Hollywood Ten during the HUAC. After being shown signed pledges by the ten avowing loyalty to the communist party, Bogey reportedly said “You bastards sold me out!” It was a very different time and atmosphere so I won’t condemn the Duke for that. Also, from what I’ve read, his 2-A classification was fought for by the movie studios who were making good money from his films…and who’s to say that his flag waving during WWII didn’t help in the war effort?
Ummm…Jane Fonda was Cat Ballou. Not only NOT a tough guy, but a sh*tty American!
Great list; I’d only add William Holden as either a Top Ten Tough Guy, or a special mention. He takes a licking and keeps on ticking in both Stalag 13 and Bridge Over The River Kwai; plus in his role in Sunset Boulevard he’s dead throughout the entire film, but that doesn’t stop him from narrating it. How tough is that?
Love the list…..Just Watched Out of the Past…wow Mitchum sure had it. Just wondering why Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Kirk Douglas were not on the list…but again, pretty tough to decide….
James Cagney was never a “song and dance man”. He couldn’t sing, and had no dance training. It is in large part to his faking his way through “Yankee Doodle Dandy” that he won the Oscar; he didn’t sing so much as “spoke” the lyrics and his dancing was simply him trying to do what he though looked like dancing.
Wayne was beyond draft age.
Great list overall. I have to disagree with you about John Wayne though. He didn’t pull every string to stay out of military service. That’s been a lie going around for a long time. Wayne actually wanted to join the war effort. Initially, he had a deferment due to an old shoulder injury and being the sole provider for his wife and children. Still, he tried to work his way in, but the main reason he was kept out was the head of Republic Pictures. While MGM could afford to lose some stars to the war effort due to the fact that they had other popular stars, Republic only had one bankable star – John Wayne. Wayne even begged his mentor, John Ford, to intervene as that Ford was head of a special military film unit. Ford, in his usual sadistic manner, kept promising to help Wayne, but did not. Heck, even the left-leaning Wikipedia has this info.
Not going to argue, it’s a great list. But my favourite tough guy performance is that of Dana Andrews in Laura. He was so level, so unflappable. Now that’s tough.
Maybe the ultimate tough guy wasn’t in Hollywood: Jean Gabin. He was impenetrable rock. Useless trying to provoke him, unless you were female. And before anyone says anything about cheese-eating and white flags, Gabin was with the liberating forces that entered Paris.
Gabin was definitely worthy of being included in the company of any and all of the tough guys on this list.
I never knew Cagney played Cohen the Barbarian. George M. Cohan, yes. But Cohen? Do you mean Genghis Cohen, who I think was a distant relative on my mother’s side who has lived to an over-ripe old age on Discworld, and still leads the Silver Horde?
???
I agree with the majority of your picks, but your characterization of John Wayne as a draft dodger is unfounded. Wayne applied to the OSS, wrote numerous letters to John Ford begging to be a part of his special film unit and for a recommendation for duty in any capacity. Because of his age and his dependent status (3 kids) he was classified as a low draft priority, 3-A. Republic Pictures, the studio that held his contract applied for draft deferment in 1944, but no records have turned up that shows that Wayne endorsed this action. Wayne may not have tried as hard as Audie Murphy to get into the war, but none of his contemporary actors, who served, ever criticized him about his lack of military service.
From everything I have read on the subject, Wayne made only the most superficial of attempts to enlist. I do not think he did this for fear of serving or anything like that. He was an up-and-coming star and did not want his career to suffer by leaving the biz for however long he may have had to leave.
Wayne had also applied to the Naval Academy back in the 1920s, but was not accepted. For more, read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_wayne
And the great Dick Cavett NYT stories about meeting John Wayne; well worth reading:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/awesome-and-then-some/
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/more-awesomeness-or-john-wayne-part-2/
food for thought….Burt Reynolds. Forget the crapfilms and think Deliverance-Shamus-Longest Yard-Sharky’s Machine.Played the tough guy as well as anyone.Could whip Bronson in his prime.
Jack Palance is number-1 with a bullet, & Mickey Rourke is a top-10 shoo-in. No list could credibly leave those two out.
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