Cliff Lyons

Acting

Cliff Lyons

Born July 5, 1901 · Clarno Township, Lake County, South Dakota, USA

Died January 6, 1974 · aged 72

Cliff Lyons was an American actor, stuntman and second-unit director, primarily of Westerns, particularly the films of John Ford and John Wayne. Lyons, the son of Garrett Thomas Lyons and Wilhamena Johnson Lyons, was raised on a South Dakota farm, though his family lived for a time in Memphis, TN, where he attended business school. An expert horseman, he gave up the notion of a business career and…

Known For

SpartacusSpartacus · 1960
Spartacus
★ 7.51960
MovieHistoryDrama
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
Ben-HurBen-Hur · 1959
Ben-Hur
★ 7.91959
MovieHistoryDrama
In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposing Roman occupation of his homeland reunites with his childhood friend, now a Roman commander — setting in motion a saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.
How the West Was WonHow the West Was Won · 1962
How the West Was Won
★ 7.01962
MovieWestern
The epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family.
The SearchersThe Searchers · 1956
The Searchers
★ 7.71956
MovieWestern
As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
7 Men from Now7 Men from Now · 1956
7 Men from Now
★ 6.81956
MovieWestern
Former sheriff Ben Stride, haunted by the loss of his wife in a Wells Fargo robbery, hunts for the seven men responsible for her death – along the way, encountering a couple heading west for California, and an outlaw he once arrested.
Fort ApacheFort Apache · 1948
Fort Apache
★ 7.01948
MovieWestern
Owen Thursday sees his new posting to the desolate Fort Apache as a chance to claim the military honour which he believes is rightfully his. Arrogant, obsessed with military form and ultimately self-destructive, he attempts to destroy the Apache chief Cochise after luring him across the border from Mexico, against the advice of his subordinates.
She Wore a Yellow RibbonShe Wore a Yellow Ribbon · 1949
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
★ 6.91949
MovieDramaWestern
On the eve of retirement, Captain Nathan Brittles takes out a last patrol to stop an impending massive Indian attack. Encumbered by women who must be evacuated, Brittles finds his mission imperiled.
How Green Was My ValleyHow Green Was My Valley · 1941
How Green Was My Valley
★ 7.31941
MovieDrama
Huw Morgan, the academically inclined youngest son in a proud family of Welsh coal miners, witnesses the tumultuous events of his young life during a period of rapid social change. At the dawn of the 20th-century, a miners' strike divides the Morgans: the sons demand improvements, and the father doesn't want to rock the boat.

Filmography

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Wagon TrainWagon Train · 1957
Wagon Train
★ 6.61957
SeriesWesternDrama
The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.

Creel Weatherby