Academy award winning actor James Coburn was one of the “Tough Guys” of American cinema who is best known for his role as Glen Whitehouse, the dominating father of a young policeman in the drama film ‘Affliction’. Lanky with rugged looks and a gravelly voice, Coburn popularized the image of the “Macho man” in American cinema. This tough guy was no chocolate-boy hero who wooed the women with his charming ways! He was an action hero who set the screen ablaze with his fast and furious action sequences, but by no means was action his only forte. He was a very talented actor who effortlessly metamorphosed from a blithe young man into a mature character actor. It was while serving in the army that he realized his love for films and proceeded to attend drama school after being discharged. He began his acting career as a theater artist before moving on to work in television. A successful television career paved the way for his Hollywood debut and soon he carved a niche for himself as the tall and handsome action hero. The actor reached the peak of his career during the 1960s and 1970s with movies like ‘Duck, You Sucker!’ and ‘Cross of Iron’ though he continued to be active in films till his last years.