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Acting Legend Jack Palance Dies

Posted Nov 10th 2006 5:17PM by TMZ Staff

Jack Palance, the gravel-voiced actor whose career spanned bad guy and, later, funny guy roles, died today at the age of 87. According to family members, Palance passed away at his Montecito, Calif. home of "natural causes."

Palance is best remembered for his Oscar-nominated role as the evil gunfighter Jack Wilson in "Shane" and such dark roles as Dracula and Attila the Hun. Younger audiences discovered him later from his hosting gig on "Ripley's Believe or Not," and, perhaps most popularly, his portrayal of the gruff cowboy Curly in "City Slickers."

He also made the one-armed pushup, which he executed with panache as he accepted his Academy Award in 1992 at the tender age of 73, a symbol of masculine achievement.

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16. R.I.P. Jack

You go way back with me.

Deepest Sympathy to your family.

You will be missed. Long live your memory.

Posted at 7:07PM on Nov 10th 2006 by nellie

17. What a talent he was. He had an outstanding sense of humor too...will never forget him doing those push ups at the Academy Awards. He was one of those solid guys you could always depend on for a solid performance...and he kept his family life private unlike the Hollywood crowd today who constantly crave the limelight. Rest in Peace, condolences to the Palance family.

Posted at 7:08PM on Nov 10th 2006 by encore

18. I can't believe it I just watched one of his movies yesterday and as usual it was a treat, he was a great bad man, a mean cowboy, and when he turned to comedy he was superb, he will be missed by many. My sincere sympathy to his family. From Mary an Irish fan.

Posted at 7:38PM on Nov 10th 2006 by Mary Lawler

19. Amazing actor...and City Slickers remains in my top 10 favorite movies to this day. What a great cast that was. Hard to imagine that both he and Bruno Kirby are gone now...doesn't seem like that long ago.


Posted at 8:12PM on Nov 10th 2006 by Michele

20. Jack Palance was truly, arguably, one of the best character actors of all time. What an incredible talent has been lost. It's really too bad that the current crop of 'so-called actors' like Cruise, et al, will never achieve or be remembered for the gift that Palance naturally possessed and, fortunately, was able to share with all of us. The era of the really 'great' and 'talented' actors appears to increasingly become dedicated to the annals of history forever!

Posted at 7:48PM on Nov 10th 2006 by Leonard

21. Jack Palance , a true american hero in real life as well as an actor, we are missing you already. RIP Jack.

Posted at 9:10PM on Nov 10th 2006 by paul fiquet

22. Jack Palance is one of the last of the most amazing era of movie actors. I am watching him right now in Barabbas as the lead gladiator. I really am concerned that there aren't very many new actors who could ever fill his shoes or those of Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Ray Milland, Burt Lancaster, just to name a few. I am thankful that their movies are being restored and shown for our children and grandchildren. We will miss you Jack - say hello to my mother for me!

Posted at 9:37PM on Nov 10th 2006 by Daphne

23. Oh, What can you say but what a guy!!!!

Posted at 11:05PM on Nov 12th 2006 by Donna Lee & Pete

24. Jack use to eat at the Stage Coach Inn in Drums. Pa, my parents restaurant . We were at his estate sale....the items he collected were awesome!. He was a great collector of antiques.
He painted in a unique way adding a poem to each painting.
Jack's house in Pa. was a place of peace and where he could create.
My mom and dad knew him. I never got to meet him....one great regret in my life
God made a good one!!!!!
Rest in Peace Jack
Love Donna Lee & Pete

Posted at 11:01PM on Nov 12th 2006 by Donna Lee & Pete

25. Jack Palance was a great actor and a great man's man - something there are few too many of these days. He will be sorely missed.

BELIEVE IT...OR NOT!

Posted at 12:43AM on Nov 11th 2006 by ManBearPig Hunter

26. Condolences to the Jack Palance family. RIP

Posted at 12:53AM on Nov 11th 2006 by Susieq

27. I'm from his hometown, in PA. He was always just another guy and you never knew when you would see him in the mall, etc... I remember sitting behind him, at a play, just after he won the Oscar, for City Slickers. My condolences to the Palance family. He will be missed.

Posted at 1:29PM on Nov 11th 2006 by Luna

28. Jack Palance a great man and actor he will be sorely missed. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends. RIP Jack I am truly shocked he is gone but he is here with us in spirit.

Posted at 1:56AM on Nov 11th 2006 by BIlly Joe

29. And so another of Hollywood's greatest bites the dust. I am left a little empty, in the way I was when the Duke last holstered his gun.

Posted at 4:22AM on Nov 11th 2006 by Mike Pepper

30. RIP JACK...YOU WERE A GREAT ACTOR

Posted at 8:39AM on Nov 11th 2006 by OH YEAH

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