Sterling Walter Hayden (born
Sterling Relyea Walter; March 26, 1916 – May 23, 1986) was an American actor and author. For most of his career as a
leading man, he specialized in
westerns and
film noir, such as
Johnny Guitar,
The Asphalt Jungle, and
The Killing. Later on he became noted as a character actor for such roles as Gen. Jack D. Ripper in
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). He also played the Irish American policeman,
Captain McCluskey, in
Francis Ford Coppola's
The Godfather in 1972, and the novelist Roger Wade in 1973's
The Long Goodbye. He played the role of Leo Dalcò in
Bernardo Bertolucci's
1900 in 1976. At 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m), he loomed over most other actors.