James Coburn was a lean, athletic actor who gained fame for his suave characterizations and action leads, but never quite made it to the top rank of stars.

Coburn first acted in a production of 'Billy Budd' at university. His studies complete, Coburn decided to try acting as a career. He worked on the stage in New York, and did some live TV, before making his film debut as an outlaw in 'Ride Lonesome' in 1959. Playing the knife-throwing Britt in the 'Magnificent Seven' only a year later, Coburn became famous. He had few lines but his physical presence, while surrounded by other macho actors, spoke volumes. His build and craggy face were perfect for that of a heavy in Westerns, and he became typecast.

Extending his repertoire to war films, Coburn got to be hero as part of the assembled cast of 'The Great Escape'. He hit true stardom as a super-spy in 'Our Man Flin't. His smooth blend of comic cheek and action hero - James Bond style - made him a major box office success.

In high demand in the 1970s, Coburn was a supreme action hero. He learnt martial arts from his friend and mentor, Bruce Lee, for whom he also wrote the script 'Circle of Iron' - and developed his comic performance.

Going into the 1980s, though, Coburn was not the athlete he once was. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had to restrict much of his work to voice-overs and documentary film. Thanks to a holistic healer, he recovered some of his movement in the 1990s, and was able to work fulltime once more. He died of a heart attack in 2002.

Source: thebiographychannel.co.uk