Favorite/Best Tough Guy Actors

**ubu55** · August 10th, 2013, 09:41 PM

Richard Boone

Fine actor, best known as Paladin in 'Have Gun Will Travel', was always a believable tough guy, playing good or bad equally well. His villains are notable for being intelligent & ruthless. 'The Kremlin Letter' is a favorite.

Victor McLaglen

Oscar-winner (The Informer 1935). best known as John Wayne's Top Sgt. in the John Ford cavalry pictures: ('She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' etc.), he seldom pumped up the menace, instead usually came across as very funny and likable. He's particularly hilarious even while trying to be threatening in 'The Quiet Man'.
And IRL, he really was a tough guy. Soldier, professional wrestler (at which he must have been terrific!)... and as an amateur boxer had exhibition bouts with newly-crowned Champ, Jack Johnson(!!!), and later-Champion Jess Willard:

http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Victor_McLaglen

Johnson Exhibition
at the Vancouver AC

Little known fact: The first person newly-crowned World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson ever fought after winning the title from Tommy Burns was McLaglen. When Johnson returned to North America from Australia, he came to Vancouver, B.C., in March 1909, on the way to Chicago. The two boxed a six-round exhibition March 10 as the feature at the Vancouver Athletic Club. According to some accounts of that bout:

"Johnson had little trouble with McLaglen, tagging him in the solar plexus within the first minute of their exhibition. Like a giant cedar having received an axeman's final blow, McLaglen paused for a moment before slowing collapsing to his knees. He was winded but able to continue fighting, although the champion mostly toyed with him for the rest of the bout, showing agility, superior footwork, and a full repertoire of punches.

On Sept. 26, 1911, McLaglen boxed a four-round exhibition with future World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard at Springfield, MO, USA, using the name "Paul Romano." IBRO Journal #84, p. 44; Springfield Daily Ledger, Sept. 22 & 26.

... and then there's this:

"Per the Jan. 10, 1912 Tacoma Daily News, McLaglen was involved in a fencing duel with Carl Brosius at Milwaukee, WI."

WTH?????????

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August 10th, 2013, 09:41 PM	#13
ubu55 Former Staff Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Posts: 2,800 Thanks: 122,910 Thanked 51,109 Times in 2,795 Posts	Richard Boone Fine actor, best known as Paladin in 'Have Gun Will Travel', was always a believable tough guy, playing good or bad equally well. His villains are notable for being intelligent & ruthless. 'The Kremlin Letter' is a favorite. Victor McLaglen Oscar-winner (The Informer 1935). best known as John Wayne's Top Sgt. in the John Ford cavalry pictures: ('She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' etc.), he seldom pumped up the menace, instead usually came across as very funny and likable. He's particularly hilarious even while trying to be threatening in 'The Quiet Man'. And IRL, he really was a tough guy. Soldier, professional wrestler (at which he must have been terrific!)... and as an amateur boxer had exhibition bouts with newly-crowned Champ, Jack Johnson(!!!), and later-Champion Jess Willard: http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Victor_McLaglen Johnson Exhibition at the Vancouver AC Little known fact: The first person newly-crowned World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson ever fought after winning the title from Tommy Burns was McLaglen. When Johnson returned to North America from Australia, he came to Vancouver, B.C., in March 1909, on the way to Chicago. The two boxed a six-round exhibition March 10 as the feature at the Vancouver Athletic Club. According to some accounts of that bout: "Johnson had little trouble with McLaglen, tagging him in the solar plexus within the first minute of their exhibition. Like a giant cedar having received an axeman's final blow, McLaglen paused for a moment before slowing collapsing to his knees. He was winded but able to continue fighting, although the champion mostly toyed with him for the rest of the bout, showing agility, superior footwork, and a full repertoire of punches. On Sept. 26, 1911, McLaglen boxed a four-round exhibition with future World Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard at Springfield, MO, USA, using the name "Paul Romano." IBRO Journal #84, p. 44; Springfield Daily Ledger, Sept. 22 & 26. ... and then there's this: "Per the Jan. 10, 1912 Tacoma Daily News, McLaglen was involved in a fencing duel with Carl Brosius at Milwaukee, WI." WTH?????????