Born on February 17, 1936, in St. Simons, Georgia, he emerged as a formidable athlete, excelling in football at Syracuse University before joining the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Transitioning to Hollywood in the 1960s, he became one of the first African American action stars, known for roles in films like "The Dirty Dozen" and "Ice Station Zebra." Besides acting, he was an activist and advocate for civil rights and social change, leveraging his fame to impact societal issues.