Born on August 12, 1935, in Revere, Massachusetts, he was a highly respected American actor known for his work in the 1970s. Despite appearing in only five feature films, each was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part II," "The Conversation," "Dog Day Afternoon," and "The Deer Hunter." His performances were marked by depth and authenticity. A close collaborator with Al Pacino, he was engaged to Meryl Streep. He passed away from lung cancer on March 12, 1978, at 42.