Hollywood tough guy Jack Palance dies

Square-jawed actor Jack Palance, who won an Oscar late in his career for his role in the comedy City Slickers, died Friday. He was 87.

Palance died of natural causes in his home in Montecito, Calif., surrounded by family, said spokesman Dick Guttman.

The veteran actor made a name for himself playing avillain in films such as Shane and Sudden Fear before turning to comedy later in his career.

Palance, who appeared in many Westerns through the years, finally won an Oscar for his role in the Billy Crystal comedy City Slickers at the age of 70.

Upon winning the award, Palance demonstrated his physical prowess by doing a series of one-handed pushups.

"That's nothing, really," he said. "As far as two-handed pushups, you can do that all night, and it doesn't make a difference whether she's there or not."

Working life began in coal mines

Crystal, that year's Oscars host, turned theepisode into a running joke, making outlandish comments about Palance's supposed physical strength throughout the show.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of my dear friend Jack Palance, a true movie icon," Crystal said in a statement. "Winning the Oscar for that movie and the one-arm pushups he did on the show will link us together forever, and for that I am grateful."

Palancecame by his tough guy roles honestly.He worked in the coal mines as a young man, was a professional boxer and also a pilot in the Second World War.

He also gained notoriety for his whispered, menacing delivery as host of the 1970s television series, Ripley's...Believe It Or Not.

Less than a month ago,Palancesold off items from his ranch in California as well as objects in his Luzerne County homestead.