**Victor McLaglen (1886-1959)**, a British actor naturalized American, is remembered for his roles as a "tough guy with a heart of gold" or gruff but loyal characters. His imposing stature and rugged face made him ideal for portraying soldiers, sailors, boxers, and authoritative figures, often with a comedic or tragic bent.

He reached the pinnacle of his career thanks to his prolific collaboration with director John Ford. The role that earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor was Gypo Nolan in *The Informer* (1935). He appeared with Ford in numerous classics, including the "Cavalry Trilogy" (*Fort Apache*, *She Wore a Yellow Ribbon*, *Rio Grande*) and *The Quiet Man* (1952), where he brought memorable Irish characters to life. His commanding screen presence and ability to balance strength and vulnerability made him an iconic figure of classic cinema.