**Alan Ladd** (1913-1964) was an American actor who rose to fame as one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the 1940s and 1950s. His career took off with the role of the taciturn hitman in *This Gun for Hire* (1942), where his compact physique and measured acting style made him ideal for anti-heroic, often tormented characters.

Often paired with Veronica Lake, Ladd consolidated his fame in numerous film noirs such as *The Blue Dahlia* (1946) and *Whispering Smith* (known in Italy as *Oltre il confine*, 1948). His most famous role, however, remains the solitary gunfighter in *Shane* (1953), a classic Western that cemented his image as a laconic, enigmatic hero with a strong moral compass. He excelled at portraying intense and melancholic figures, possessing a subtle yet impactful screen presence.