Vintage Sunshine Boy

Burt Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994) was an Oscar-winning American film actor, noted for his athletic physique (a rare thing for leading men of that time), distinct smile (which he called "The Grin") and, later, his willingness to play roles that went against his initial "tough guy" image.

Lancaster was also an unabashed liberal activist and spoke out many times in support of minorities and forming liberal groups. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and McCarthyism. In 1985 Lancaster, a longtime supporter of gay rights, joined the fight against AIDS after Rock Hudson became ill.