Great thought Steve
Rest In Peace Vladimir Ivanovich Palaniuk 18 FEB 1919 to 10 NOV 2006.
Born in Pennsylvania, of Ukrainian descent and son of a coal miner, Palaniuk worked in the coal mines until the 1930's when he started a career as a professional boxer. Using the professional name Jack Brazzo, Vladimir Palaniuk won 15 consecutive matches -- 12 by knockout -- until losing his 16th by decision.
World War 2 came knocking about that time; Vladimir joined the Army Air Corp and began training as a B-24 pilot.
During training, an engine failed on his bird, and he suffered severe facial injuries and burns either during the bail-out process or when the bomber crashed
He required extensive plastic surgery -- resulting in a distinctive gaunt look -- and was discharged from the US military in 1944.
Not one to mope, Vladimir graduated from Stanford University in 1947 with a B.A. in Drama and pretty much instantly wound up on Broadway.
Three years after his Broadway debut, Vladimir Palaniuk was discovered by Hollywood.
Not content with a commanding screen presence, Palaniuk painted and sold landscape art, wrote and published poetry, spoke Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French and English.
Most folks knew him as Jack Palance.
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