Colman "Tiger" King, the actor who lent his iconic face to "Man of Aran," was not a professional actor, but a true inhabitant of the Aran Islands, whose life was inextricably linked to the sea and land that the famous 1934 film depicted. Born on January 31, 1900, King was a blacksmith, fisherman, and builder of "currachs" (traditional Irish rowing boats), embodying the essence of the Aran man long before director Robert Flaherty chose him for the lead role.

His life was an amalgam of tradition and unexpected modernity. Before becoming the symbol of the harsh island life, King served in the Irish army. His imposing physical presence and features marked by time and salt spray captured Flaherty's attention, who cast him as the protagonist of his "fictionalized documentary." The film, while depicting the daily struggle against the forces of nature, took several narrative liberties: the family shown on screen, for example, was composed of islanders who had no real family ties. Even the famous basking shark hunt scene was a re-enactment of practices that had been out of use for decades, re-taught to the islanders for filming.

Despite the constructed nature of the film, King's authenticity shone through the screen. King himself, years later, described the cinematic operation with a certain detachment, stating: "I knew very well it was all bullshit." This frankness, however, did not diminish the powerful impact of his image.

The success of "Man of Aran" brought King unexpected fame. He participated in the film's promotion in London, a world far removed from his wind-swept cliffs. During this period, his face became the subject of a bronze bust by the renowned sculptor Jacob Epstein, further cementing his iconic image.

After his cinematic experience, Colman "Tiger" King moved to London, where he lived for many years working as a blacksmith for the London Metropolitan Water Board, the entity that managed the British capital's water supply.

He died in London on October 16, 1976, at the age of 76. His remains were brought back to his homeland and rest in Cill Éinne Cemetery, on Inishmore island, the same rugged and magnificent landscape that made him an immortal icon of cinema.