Jack Palance was a legend of Hollywood, with a career that spanned 55 years.
His persona as a tough guy resonated with audiences, and he was one of the most respected
performers around.
And yet Jack was a warm and happy man with a family he adored.
He and his wife Virginia had three children, one of whom his is daughter, Holly.
In this video, we’ll take a look at Jack’s life and career, as well as some interesting
connections and revelations Holly made about him during a visit to their ancestors’ birthplace.
So stick around, as Facts Verse presents: Jack Palance's Daughter Opens Up About His
Life
Jack Palance was born on February 18, 1919, in Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania, as Vladimir
Palahniuk.
He was one of five children in a Ukrainian family, and his father worked as a coal miner.
Palance grew up in a rough environment and worked odd jobs to help support his family.
He attended the University of North Carolina on a football scholarship, but a serious injury
ended his football career.
However, football wasn’t the only sport he excelled at.
He also was a pro boxer in the 1930s, though he fought under the alias Jack Brazzo.
But the boxing life wasn’t for him.
After a string of victories, he called it a day.
When asked about that decision later in his life, he noted that it felt crazy to go get
his head beat in just to earn about $200.
During World War II, Palance served in the Army Air Forces as a bomber pilot, earning
a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a crash landing.
Interestingly enough, a rumor persisted for years that his face was scarred badly because
of the crash, and doctors had given him plastic surgery to correct it.
And that they had given him his distinct facial features, like his deeply set eye sockets
and striking cheekbones.
When Jack was later asked about this rumor, he joked, “If it is a ‘bionic face,’
why didn’t they do a better job of it?”
After the war, he studied acting at the Actors Studio in New York City, under the guidance
of Lee Strasberg.
Palance made his Broadway debut appearing in "The Big Two" in 1947 and made his film
debut in "Panic in the Streets" in 1950.
He quickly established himself as a tough guy character actor, appearing in films such
as "Shane" (1953), "Sudden Fear" (1952), and "The Big Knife" (1955).
Palance earned an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in "Sudden Fear,"
but it was his villainous turn in the western "Shane" that cemented his status as a Hollywood
icon.
His portrayal of the hired gun Jack Wilson, complete with a menacing smile and spurs that
jangled as he walked, became one of the most memorable performances in movie history.
In the 1960s, Palance shifted his focus to television, appearing in numerous guest roles
on popular shows such as "The Twilight Zone," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," and "Bonanza."
He also hosted his own variety series, "The Jack Palance Show," in 1963.
Palance continued to work steadily throughout the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in films such
as "The Godchild" (1974), "Barabbas" (1961), and "Batman" (1989), in which he played the
villainous gangster Carl Grissom.
Jack’s Intensity and Passions Palance was known for his intensity on and
off the screen, and his dedication to his craft.
He often approached his roles with a methodical and immersive approach, sometimes staying
in character even when the cameras weren't rolling.
His commitment to his craft earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of
his fans.
Throughout his career, Palance worked with some of Hollywood's most talented directors
and actors.
He starred in Elia Kazan's "Panic in the Streets" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," both alongside
Marlon Brando.
He also worked with John Wayne in "The Professionals" and "The Comancheros."
Palance was also a talented painter and photographer.
He studied art at the Art Students League of New York and had several exhibitions of
his paintings and photographs.
He often painted landscapes and portraits of fellow actors and directors.
Palance was a devoted family man.
He married his wife, Virginia Baker, in 1949, and they had three children together.
Despite his tough-guy image, Palance was known for his kind and gentle nature off-screen,
and he was admired by his friends and colleagues for his generosity and humility.
Jacks’ Famous Oscar Speech Jack’s Oscar acceptance speech is considered
one of the most memorable and entertaining moments in Academy Awards history.
Palance won the Best Supporting Actor award in 1992 for his role in the movie "City Slickers".
When Palance went on stage to accept his award, he began with a series of push-ups, which
he explained were to prove that he was still in good shape at the age of 73.
He then proceeded to deliver a humorous and irreverent speech, thanking his fellow actors,
the film's director, and his horse.
Palance also made reference to his career as a boxer, saying that winning an Oscar was
more difficult than winning a fight.
He then joked about his reputation as a tough guy, saying that he never thought he would
win an award for playing a "cowboy, an Army lieutenant, a truck driver, and a gangster".
The speech was well-received by the audience, who applauded and laughed throughout.
Palance's performance was so memorable that it became a cultural touchstone, referenced
in numerous TV shows, movies, and even political campaigns.
Holly’s Trip To Ukraine In 2017, Jack’s daughter Holly had a chance
to visit Ukraine.
Jack’s ancestors hailed from there, despite the fact that Jack was born in the U.S. Holly
wanted to get a better sense of her roots and to pay tribute to the nation where her
father’s parents grew up.
She visited the small village of Ivane-Zolote, which is where the Palance family once lived.
After the trip, she expressed how impressed and taken aback she was at the reception she
received.
She expected the visit to be under the radar and simple.
And yet the people in the village made her feel incredibly special.
They put together a concert, as well as a memorial video that featured highlights from
her father’s life and career.
They also presented her with an embroidered blouse and gave her access to some family
records that had long been hidden, due to worry about the oppressive Society regime
of the time.
Holly noted that the town felt so much pride at Jack’s career.
They fell that they had one of their own who had become a big star.
Or as Holly put it, “to go from a coal miner to a movie star is a big deal.”
Holly also opened up about her father.
She talked about how she noticed an incredible work ethic that the villagers had in Ivane-Zolote,
and how it reminded her of her father’s work ethic.
She pointed out that everyone was working hard each day of her visit, including being
out in the fields on the weekends.
She also talked about a time when her family lived in Switzerland when she was young.
At the time, Jack was tired of being typecast in bad guy roles and was seeking work in Europe
instead.
At one point, her father gave her a Ukrainian doll as a birthday present.
He also told her that he had many of them and that the two of them were going to head
over to a local orphanage and hand them out.
And so they did, and it had a huge impact on Holly’s outlook on life, as well as the
way she looked up to her father.
Holly’s Life Holly was born on August 5, 1950, in Los Angeles.
She attended the University of Southern California, where she studied drama and graduated with
a degree in theater.
Holly started her acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in a few movies and TV shows.
She then shifted her focus to producing, and went on to produce several TV series, including
"The Incredible Hulk," "Simon & Simon," and "The Love Boat."
Holly has also worked as a television personality, hosting several game shows and talk shows.
Holly is also a published author.
She has written several books, including "The Comfort of Apples," a memoir about her life
growing up with her famous father, and "How to Survive Your Parents' Divorce," a self-help
book for children.
She has been a guest on several talk shows, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and has
been interviewed by numerous publications, including People Magazine and The Los Angeles
Times.
She has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations, including
the American Red Cross and the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation.
Holly has also been a spokesperson for several charitable causes, including the National
Breast Cancer Foundation and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
She was awarded the Women in Film Crystal Award and the Angel Award from the Entertainment
Industry Foundation.
Holly has also been involved in the education field.
She has served as a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) and as an administrator
in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
She has also volunteered as a tutor and mentor for disadvantaged students.
She is married to Jeffrey D. Brown, a film director and producer, and they have two children
together.
Holly is also a grandmother to four grandchildren.
Holly Palance has a lifetime of memories of her talented and loving father, and her trip
to Ukraine only helped to reinforce these.
It also gave a connection to her heritage.
Now it’s time to hear from you.
What’s your favorite memory of Jack Palance?
Let us know in the comments section below!