Lee Van Cleef, the iconic actor known for his roles in Western films, did indeed lose the middle finger of his right hand. The story goes that during his early acting career, Van Cleef worked as an accountant and later as an oil rig worker before pursuing acting full-time.
As the tale goes, Van Cleef’s finger was caught in a rope while he was working on an oil rig, resulting in the loss of part of his middle finger. This injury added a distinctive and memorable element to his appearance, contributing to his tough and rugged on-screen persona.
Despite the setback, Van Cleef’s unique presence and acting talent propelled him to become one of the most recognizable and celebrated actors in the Western genre. His missing middle finger became a trademark feature, distinguishing him in a memorable way and adding to the mystique of his on-screen characters.
