Sterling dropped out of school at the age of sixteen and took a job as a mate on a schooner. In the years following he was a fisherman on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, ran a charter yacht and served as a fireman aboard a steamer. While still a young man he skippered a trading schooner in the Caribbean, worked his way around the world several times and was awarded command of a square rigger at the age of twenty-two. He spoke of his nautical adventures before a meeting of the New York Adventurer's Club in 1940.
In 1938 Sterling's photo appeared on the cover of a magazine, prompting Paramount Pictures to offer him a screen test. With no acting experience or training, he didn't think much would come of it, but his 6'5" physique and good looks won him a contract. He appeared in two movies, but in December of 1941 he declared, "I'm no actor, I'm a sailor!" and enlisted in the U.S. Army. While in training he broke his ankle and was discharged. Having recovered, he enlisted in the Marine Corps under an assumed name - "John Hamilton". During basic training at Parris Island he was recommended for Officer Candidate School.
After graduation from OCS, he was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant and was transferred to service as an undercover agent with William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan's Office of the the Coordinator of Information, remaining there after it had become the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). As an OSS agent "John Hamilton" sailed with supplies from Italy to Yugoslav partisans and parachuted into fascist Croatia. He established air crew rescue teams in enemy-occupied territory, and was rapidly promoted to first lieutenant and then captain. Sterling received the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the Balkans and Mediterranean, a Bronze Arrowhead device for parachuting behind enemy lines, and the Yugoslav Order of Merit from Josip Tito.
He returned to Hollywood, expressing a distaste for acting, but saying that it was the only way he had to pay for his ships and voyages. From 1946 until shortly before his death in 1986 at the age of 70, he appeared in more than seventy films and t.v. episodes, often being cast in westerns and noir features. He also found time to write two best-selling books - one an autobiography and the other a novel.
One of his most iconic and well-remembered roles was as the mad general, Jack. D. Ripper in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove.
Sterling Hayden - Sailor, Actor, Spy and true life hero.