John Ireland (1914-1992) was a Canadian-American actor whose career spanned over fifty years. Known for his intense screen presence and gravelly voice, he established himself in Hollywood as one of the most reliable character actors, often cast as tough, ambiguous, cynical characters, or loyal henchmen.

Among his most iconic roles were the intense Cherry Valance in Howard Hawks' epic Western *Red River* (1948) and Jack Burden in *All the King's Men* (1949), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His versatility led him to appear in prominent films like Stanley Kubrick's *Spartacus* (1960). In later years, his career included numerous B-movies and European productions, from Spaghetti Westerns to genre films.