Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Rod Steiger Biography

Birth Name:Rodney Stephen Steiger

Birth Place:Westhampton, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Awarded the Gift of Life Award for advocating against the social stigma associated with mental diseases
Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997
Broke into acting when he appeared on an episode of "Goodyear Television Playhouse" in 1953
Quote: "Curiosity will lead you to many little deaths and many little happinesses․ The day your curiosity dies, your life is over․"
Quote: "The best way to educate a person is to stimulate your curiosity․ I was always hungry with curiosity so I had a strange-rounded education․"
Known for his full-bodied, outlandish acting style
Widely recognized as a character actor due to his versatile roles
Campaigned for the role of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather․"
Was offered the lead role in "Patton," but turned it down
Served aboard destroyers in the U․S․ Navy during World War II
Took on the role of Viktor Komarovsky in "Doctor Zhivago" after fellow actors Marlon Brando and James Mason turned down the part

Awards

1955Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1959Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1959Primetime Emmy-Best Single Performance by an Actor: nominated
1964Silver Berlin Bear-Best Actor: winner
1964Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1965NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1966Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1966Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1966Golden Laurel-Dramatic Performance, Male: nominated
1967BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
1967KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1967NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1968Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1968BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
1968Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: winner
1968Golden Laurel-Male Dramatic Performance: winner
1968NSFC Award-Best Actor: winner
1968Gold Medal-Favorite Motion Picture: nominated
1969David-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): winner
1969Sant Jordi-Best Performance in a Foreign Film (Mejor Interpretación en Película Extranjera): winner
1980Genie-Best Performance by a Foreign Actor: nominated
1981Genie-Best Performance by a Foreign Actor: nominated
1981Best Actor-: winner
1988ACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1994Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
1995Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
1996Gemini-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: nominated
1999Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2001Feature Film Award-Best Actor: winner