Sterling Hayden

Sterling Walter Hayden, born Sterling Relyea Walter, was an American actor and author. He didn't really harbor any aspirations of being an actor, dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and hired on as mate on a schooner. He was a ship's captain at 22, and in need of cash to buy his own boat, established himself as a model in New York, discovered by Paramount Studios talent scouts and offered a contract. Sterling Hayden, the handsome tall blond actor who played wholesome leading-man movie roles in the 1940's and 1950's and later weathered into a rough-hewn solid character actor in films such as ''Dr. Strangelove'', ''The Godfather,'' "Nine to Five" and "King of the Gypsies". He appeared in 71 feature films and tv-productions from the debut in "Virginia" 1941 to the tv mini-series "The Blue and the Gray" in 1982. He wrote of his obsessive fascination with the sea in a 1963 autobiography, ''Wanderer,'' and in 1970 his 700-page epic novel of the sea, ''Voyage,'' was a main selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. Sterling Hayden appeared in the German documentary, ''Pharos of Chaos,'' (1983) filmed aboard his barge in Europe, and seemed to be in an alcoholic stupor much of the time, supplementing his wine intake with hashish. On camera he said: ''What confuses me is I ain't all that unhappy. So why do I drink, I don't know.''

2 3 4

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

ClassicFunnyBrilliantDark

After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Peter Sellers  •  George C. Scott  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Slim Pickens

After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Peter Sellers  •  George C. Scott  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Slim Pickens

The Godfather (1972)

Thought provokingEmotionalViolentDark

Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Ford Coppola
CAST:  Marlon Brando  •  Al Pacino  •  James Caan  •  Richard S. Castellano

Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Ford Coppola
CAST:  Marlon Brando  •  Al Pacino  •  James Caan  •  Richard S. Castellano

1900 (1976)

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bernardo Bertolucci
CAST:  Gérard Depardieu  •  Robert De Niro  •  Dominique Sanda  •  Stefania Sandrelli

The epic tale of a class struggle in twentieth century Italy, as seen through the eyes of two childhood friends on opposing sides.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bernardo Bertolucci
CAST:  Gérard Depardieu  •  Robert De Niro  •  Dominique Sanda  •  Stefania Sandrelli

Crime Wave (1953)

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.  (more)

DIRECTION:  André de Toth
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Gene Nelson  •  Phyllis Kirk  •  Ted de Corsia

Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. The other two former cellmates then attempt to force him into doing a bank job.  (more)

DIRECTION:  André de Toth
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Gene Nelson  •  Phyllis Kirk  •  Ted de Corsia

Johnny Guitar (1954)

On the outskirts of town, the hard-nosed Vienna owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region, including Dancin' Kid and his gang. Another patron of Vienna's establishment is Johnny Guitar, a former gunslinger and her lover. When a heist is pulled in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Ray
CAST:  Joan Crawford  •  Mercedes McCambridge  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Ernest Borgnine

On the outskirts of town, the hard-nosed Vienna owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region, including Dancin' Kid and his gang. Another patron of Vienna's establishment is Johnny Guitar, a former gunslinger and her lover. When a heist is pulled in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Ray
CAST:  Joan Crawford  •  Mercedes McCambridge  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Ernest Borgnine

Loving (1970)

Brooks Wilson is in crisis. He is torn between his wife Selma and two daughters and his mistress Grace, and also between his career as a successful illustrator and his feeling that he might still produce something worthwhile.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irvin Kershner
CAST:  George Segal  •  Eva Marie Saint  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Keenan Wynn

Brooks Wilson is in crisis. He is torn between his wife Selma and two daughters and his mistress Grace, and also between his career as a successful illustrator and his feeling that he might still produce something worthwhile.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irvin Kershner
CAST:  George Segal  •  Eva Marie Saint  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Keenan Wynn

Manhandled (1949)

Merle Kramer works as a stenographer for a psychiatrist. She is casually dating Karl Benson, a private eye and former cop. Merle mentions in passing that one of her boss's patients is an author with recurring dreams of murdering his wife, and she includes the fact ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis R. Foster
CAST:  Dorothy Lamour  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Dan Duryea  •  Irene Hervey

Merle Kramer works as a stenographer for a psychiatrist. She is casually dating Karl Benson, a private eye and former cop. Merle mentions in passing that one of her boss's patients is an author with recurring dreams of murdering his wife, and she includes the fact ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis R. Foster
CAST:  Dorothy Lamour  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Dan Duryea  •  Irene Hervey

Naked Alibi (1954)

Questioned as a murder suspect, solid (but drunk) citizen Al Willis attacks his police questioners, is beaten, and swears vengeance against them. Next night, Lieut. Parks is murdered; Willis is the only suspect in the eyes of tough Chief Conroy, who pursues him ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jerry Hopper
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Gloria Grahame  •  Gene Barry  •  Marcia Henderson

Questioned as a murder suspect, solid (but drunk) citizen Al Willis attacks his police questioners, is beaten, and swears vengeance against them. Next night, Lieut. Parks is murdered; Willis is the only suspect in the eyes of tough Chief Conroy, who pursues him ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jerry Hopper
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Gloria Grahame  •  Gene Barry  •  Marcia Henderson

Nine to Five (1980)

Frank Hart is a pig. He takes advantage of the women who work with him in the grossest manner. When his three assistants manage to trap him in his own house, they assume control of his department, and productivity leaps, but just how long can they keep Hart tied up?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Colin Higgins
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Lily Tomlin  •  Dolly Parton  •  Dabney Coleman

Frank Hart is a pig. He takes advantage of the women who work with him in the grossest manner. When his three assistants manage to trap him in his own house, they assume control of his department, and productivity leaps, but just how long can they keep Hart tied up?  (more)

DIRECTION:  Colin Higgins
CAST:  Jane Fonda  •  Lily Tomlin  •  Dolly Parton  •  Dabney Coleman

Suddenly (1954)

The tranquility of a small town is marred only by sheriff Tod Shaw's unsuccessful courtship of widow Ellen Benson, a pacifist who can't abide guns and those who use them. But violence descends on Ellen's household willy-nilly when the U.S. President passes through ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis Allen
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Sterling Hayden  •  James Gleason  •  Nancy Gates

The tranquility of a small town is marred only by sheriff Tod Shaw's unsuccessful courtship of widow Ellen Benson, a pacifist who can't abide guns and those who use them. But violence descends on Ellen's household willy-nilly when the U.S. President passes through ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis Allen
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Sterling Hayden  •  James Gleason  •  Nancy Gates

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Recently paroled from prison, legendary burglar "Doc" Riedenschneider, with funding from Alonzo Emmerich, a crooked lawyer, gathers a small group of veteran criminals together in the Midwest for a big jewel heist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Louis Calhern  •  Jean Hagen  •  James Whitmore

Recently paroled from prison, legendary burglar "Doc" Riedenschneider, with funding from Alonzo Emmerich, a crooked lawyer, gathers a small group of veteran criminals together in the Midwest for a big jewel heist.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Huston
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Louis Calhern  •  Jean Hagen  •  James Whitmore

The Final Programme (1973)

After the death of his Nobel Prize-winning father, billionaire physicist Jerry Cornelius becomes embroiled in the search for the mysterious "Final Programme", developed by his father. The programme, a design for a perfect, self-replicating human being, is contained ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Fuest
CAST:  Jon Finch  •  Jenny Runacre  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Harry Andrews

After the death of his Nobel Prize-winning father, billionaire physicist Jerry Cornelius becomes embroiled in the search for the mysterious "Final Programme", developed by his father. The programme, a design for a perfect, self-replicating human being, is contained ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Fuest
CAST:  Jon Finch  •  Jenny Runacre  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Harry Andrews

The Killing (1956)

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Coleen Gray  •  Vince Edwards  •  Jay C. Flippen

Career criminal Johnny Clay recruits a sharpshooter, a crooked police officer, a bartender and a betting teller named George, among others, for one last job before he goes straight and gets married. But when George tells his restless wife about the scheme to steal ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kubrick
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Coleen Gray  •  Vince Edwards  •  Jay C. Flippen

The Long Goodbye (1973)

In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Elliott Gould  •  Nina van Pallandt  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Mark Rydell

In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Elliott Gould  •  Nina van Pallandt  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Mark Rydell

The Star (1952)

A washed-up movie queen finds romance, but continues to desire a comeback.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stuart Heisler
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Warner Anderson

A washed-up movie queen finds romance, but continues to desire a comeback.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stuart Heisler
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Warner Anderson

Carol for Another Christmas (1964)

Daniel Grudge, a wealthy industrialist and fierce isolationist long embittered by the loss of his son in World War II, is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who lead him to reconsider his attitude toward his fellow man.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph L. Mankiewicz
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Percy Rodriguez  •  Eva Marie Saint  •  Ben Gazzara

Daniel Grudge, a wealthy industrialist and fierce isolationist long embittered by the loss of his son in World War II, is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who lead him to reconsider his attitude toward his fellow man.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph L. Mankiewicz
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Percy Rodriguez  •  Eva Marie Saint  •  Ben Gazzara

Kansas Pacific (1953)

Just before the Civil War (but after the South has seceded), Southern saboteurs try to prevent railroad construction from crossing Kansas to the frontier; army captain Nelson is sent out to oppose them. As the tracks push westward, Nelson must contend with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ray Nazarro
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Eve Miller  •  Barton MacLane  •  Harry Shannon

Just before the Civil War (but after the South has seceded), Southern saboteurs try to prevent railroad construction from crossing Kansas to the frontier; army captain Nelson is sent out to oppose them. As the tracks push westward, Nelson must contend with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ray Nazarro
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Eve Miller  •  Barton MacLane  •  Harry Shannon

Zero Hour! (1957)

In 1950s Canada, during a commercial flight, the pilots and some passengers suffer food poisoning, thus forcing an ex-WW2 fighter pilot to try to land the airliner in heavy fog.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hall Bartlett
CAST:  Dana Andrews  •  Linda Darnell  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Geoffrey Toone

In 1950s Canada, during a commercial flight, the pilots and some passengers suffer food poisoning, thus forcing an ex-WW2 fighter pilot to try to land the airliner in heavy fog.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hall Bartlett
CAST:  Dana Andrews  •  Linda Darnell  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Geoffrey Toone

Take Me to Town (1953)

Saloon entertainer Vermilion O'Toole and her former partner in crime Newt Cole escape from a train ride to prison and hide out in logging town Timberline. Meanwhile, the three sons of widower Will Hall come to town in search of a wife for their dad. Vermilion needs ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Douglas Sirk
CAST:  Ann Sheridan  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Phillip Reed  •  Lee Patrick

Saloon entertainer Vermilion O'Toole and her former partner in crime Newt Cole escape from a train ride to prison and hide out in logging town Timberline. Meanwhile, the three sons of widower Will Hall come to town in search of a wife for their dad. Vermilion needs ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Douglas Sirk
CAST:  Ann Sheridan  •  Sterling Hayden  •  Phillip Reed  •  Lee Patrick

Timberjack (1955)

A young man seeks his father's killers among lumberjacks, and discovers that they are actually timber barons who also seek to control lumber mills. Based on the novel of the same name.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Kane
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Vera Ralston  •  David Brian  •  Adolphe Menjou

A young man seeks his father's killers among lumberjacks, and discovers that they are actually timber barons who also seek to control lumber mills. Based on the novel of the same name.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Kane
CAST:  Sterling Hayden  •  Vera Ralston  •  David Brian  •  Adolphe Menjou
2 3 4