jack palance ( ; born volodymyr palahniuk (); february 18, 1919 – november 10, 2006) was an american actor of ukrainian and polish descent. he was nominated for three academy awards, all for best actor in a supporting role, receiving nominations for his roles in "sudden fear" (1952) and "shane" (1953), and winning the oscar almost 40 years later for his role in "city slickers" (1991).