At the age of 10
Was the time when
He for the first time
Openly mentioned
That becoming an actor
Was his only intention
Lied about his age
To join the Marine Corps
Stationed Different places
5 years with the defence forces
Joined the Pasadena playhouse
To learn his passion
Attended acting lessons
Met future greats Duvall and Hoffman
Was disliked by
Fellow classmates
Deemed unworthy of acting
Mocked and ridiculed for his style of expression
Voted the least likely
To succeed in the movies
Failed the exams
Got the lowest ever score in the playhouse history
Asked to leave
Found refuge in New York City
Doing odd jobs to keep life steady
Off Broadway plays to pave his way
First movie part
Was Mad Dog Call
Had no dialogue
Shared screen space with Telly Savalas
As in Broadway
He didn't start at the top
Bottom is very ugly place
He quipped famously about the acting race
Got more bit parts
Route 66 a series and the DuPont show
A hot Broadway show with Sandy Dennis
Opened up doors for his first major role in Lilith
Warren Beatty cast him
As his brother in Bonnie and Clyde as Buck Barrow
Giving him the biggest break to undo
The brake stopping his growth
Had solid Supporting roles
With Lancaster Peck and Redford
Each a stepping stone
For what was to come
The dawn of the 70s
Saw him breakthrough into leading roles
I never sang for my father
His first Oscar nominated leading role
A fortuious moment
When he signed French Connection
Collaboration with William Friedkin
Made him the biggest Star in the Hollywood Constellation
Won the Academy Award
Topped the Box office Charts
Created A new breed
Actor / Superstar
Breaking box office records
With disaster films like
The Poseidon Adventure
Simultaneously winning
Palm D Orr for films like Scarecrow and The Conversation
Played Lex Luthor in Superman
A superhero film a novelty then Top billing playing the Villain V Unheard off at that time
Turned down meaty roles
Offered by great auteurs
Jaws One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest to name a couple
Such was his faith in his talent and skill
The 80 s were equally significant
Critical and Box office success ensued
Rode the decade with all the Success
Oscar Nominated for Mississippi Burning & Hoosiers named the greatest Sports film
Started the 90 s
With Narrow Margin
Followed it up with Unforgiven
Played the villain took home the 2nd Academy Recognition
Prolific in the 4th decade
His calling in the movies
Worked with young talent
All claimed to be his die hard fans
5th decade in Hollywood
Golden Globe win for The Royal Tennenbaums
6 film a year
Totalled close to 100 his entire career
No dearth for offers
6 films a year 45 years later
Strong legs for 5 decades
Not many can claim that to say
The long haul
Had seen it all
Reached the age of 75
Said a final goodbye
Ability to absorb
Every character donned
On New York streets would walk
Observing all those who pass
George Morrison taught
Him how to act
Assured him of his ability
Method Acting lesson meticulously
Positioned his career
Played Supporting Roles
The part of the Villain
Gave relief with Comic roles and played Lead roles
A great position to be
All slots his name was to be
Name above the title
Any other role that tested his mettle
One of the few
Actor and Superstar. Combination
Filled Cinemas Worldwide
Followed by every prestigious Accolade
Won every major award
Life time Achievement the reward
Oscar BAFTA Globus Golden Bear Palm D Orr and Every other award
That the season brings with
First to act
In the disaster genre
Roles in many other
Captured Audience imagination forever
Now a Novelist who gets published
Written 6 books so far
Out of public eye
But never out of their memory
One of the greatest Actors
One of the. Biggest Stars
Fans all over the World
Trained to be an Actor not a Star his most famous quote