Rod Steiger

Date of Birth: April 14, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: July 9, 2002

Biography

Rodney Stephen Steiger, known professionally as Rod Steiger, was an American actor celebrated for his intense and versatile performances across a wide range of genres. Born on April 14, 1925, in Westhampton, New York, Steiger had a tumultuous early life, marked by his parents’ divorce and his mother’s struggles with alcoholism. His passion for acting was ignited during his service in the United States Navy during World War II, where he performed in theatrical productions to entertain the troops. After the war, Steiger studied at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York City, where he was mentored by Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg. He made his mark on television in the 1950s with the live drama “Marty,” which earned him critical acclaim. This success paved the way for a prolific film career. Steiger’s breakout role came in 1954 with “On the Waterfront,” where he played Marlon Brando’s brother. His career reached its zenith with his Oscar-winning performance as Sheriff Bill Gillespie in “In the Heat of the Night” (1967). Known for his method acting, Steiger immersed himself deeply into his characters, often delivering powerful and memorable performances. Throughout his career, Steiger appeared in over 100 films, including notable roles in “The Pawnbroker” (1964), “Dr. Zhivago” (1965), and “Waterloo” (1970). Despite facing health challenges later in life, including depression and heart surgery, Steiger continued to act until his passing on July 9, 2002, in Los Angeles, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Rod Steiger

1. Rod Steiger served in the United States Navy during World War II.

2. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in “In the Heat of the Night” (1967).

3. Steiger was a method actor and a member of the Actors Studio.

4. He turned down the role of General George S. Patton in “Patton” (1970), a decision he later regretted.

5. Steiger was married five times and struggled with depression throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rod Steiger

1. “The most important thing is to be true to yourself.”

2. “I consider myself a good actor, but not a great actor. I believe there’s a difference.”

3. “I was very fortunate to be at the Actors Studio at the time when it was the place to be.”

4. “If you paint a picture and I paint a picture, we each have a different vision.”

5. “I don’t like the idea of being a star. I can only play one role at a time, and that’s the part I choose.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Rod Steiger achieved was estimated to be around $8 million.

Children

Rod Steiger had one child, a daughter named Anna Steiger, born in 1960 from his marriage to actress Claire Bloom. Anna Steiger is an accomplished opera singer.