Too Tough to Die.

Lee Marvin
Feb. 19, 1924 - Aug. 29, 1987

Lee Marvin was tough. He ate nails for breakfast, and spit thumbtacks. He had a head full of hate and a heart full of snakes and he once shot a man just for snoring. Something like that.

Or, perhaps not.

But he was one of Hollywood's toughest tough guys, and he did serve as a sniper in World War II in the 4th Marine Division. He was wounded in the Battle of Saipan, and most of his platoon was killed in the battle. He was awarded the Purple Heart and given a medical discharge. Marvin turned to acting and began a career playing tough guy roles, and graduated to leading man status. Ultimately he won the 1965 Academy Award for Best Actor for Cat Ballou and had a hit song ("Wandrin' Star" from 1969's Paint Your Wagon).

Like Oliver Reed, he also turned down the role of Quint in Jaws, but later apparently regretted it. But consider this: Robert Shaw, who took the role, died of a heart attack. Oliver Reed died of a heart attack. And Lee Marvin died of a heart attack. Jaws kills.

Though he never intended to, Lee Marvin made a lasting contribution to the American legal system. Ever hear of "palimony"? That was his baby. From the web site of the California Family Law Institute:

"The first palimony suit was brought by a girlfriend of the actor Lee Marvin, Michelle Triola, back in 1977. The lawsuit stated that Lee Marvin had promised to support Michelle Triola for the rest of her life. Then she alledged that she had given up a promising singing and acting career to be Lee Marvin's constant companion, traveling partner, and to assist him. Lee Marvin was married to Mrs. Lee Marvin at the time. The suit went to trial. It established the principal that "live-in-lovers" can sue on supposed oral contracts also called "pillow-talk" contracts. Ms. Triola never received a single dollar from Lee Marvin. She was not able to establish all the requisite requirements. On appellant remand The California Supreme Court sent it back to the Trial Tourt. The trial court then attempted to give Ms. Triola $150,000 in rehabilitation money. That too went to the California Supreme Court. The California Supreme Court ruled that no rehabilitation could be ordered."

You see? You learn something new every day. Well, I learn something new every day. That's because not only am I a complete idiot, I forget everything I know and have to re-learn it the next day. But I do know not to promise to support some wench for the rest of her life...and I can circumvent any payments to said wench by having absolutely no money whatsoever. Thanks, Lee Marvin!