Richard Widmark, a fine noir knave and more

Richard Widmark, who died today at 93, began his career as the quintessential film noir villain in 1947's seminal "Kiss of Death." And though he is best known for his villainous roles, he also excelled at westerns ("Broken Lance," "Cheyenne Autumn"), dramas ("Time Limit," "Judgment at Nuremberg") and even comedy (remember his guest stint on "I Love Lucy"?). He was one of a kind and one of the greats from the golden age of Hollywood.

Here's a look at some of the highlights of his illustrious career.

"Kiss of Death"

Widmark made an electrifying film debut -- receiving his one and only Oscar nomination, for supporting actor -- for this seminal 1947 film noir as Tommy Udo, a insanely psychotic killer who is out to get revenge on the small-time crook (Victor Mature) who had informed on him.

Variety wrote that Widmark was the "acting sensation of the piece ... the most shuddery menace of the year."

With this high-pitch laugh and steely-eyed glint, Widmark's Tommy will kill anybody and everybody -- including pushing an elderly woman (Mildred Dunnock) in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs.

"You know what I do to squealers," he tells the granny before she meets her maker. "I let 'em having it in the belly, so they can roll around for a long time thinkin' it over."

"Road House"

Jean Negulesco directed this underrated 1948 film noir that casts Widmark in another psychotic role: Jefty Robbins, the owner of a roadhouse in a small town who hires a sexy torch singer (Ida Lupino) for the club despite the protestations of his level-headed manager Pete (Cornel Wilde). Before you can say "trouble," Jefty becomes obsessed with Lupino's Lily. But she only has eyes for Pete. Jefty goes over the edge and erupts into a murderous rage when Lily turns down his marriage proposal.

"Panic in the Streets"

Widmark plays the hero in Elia Kazan's harrowing 1950 thriller revolving around an outbreak of pneumonic plague in New Orleans. Widmark gives a strong turn as Dr. Clinton Reed of the Public Health Service who has 48 hours to find the killers and their associates who have the plague and inoculate them while keeping a news blackout of the impending health epidemic.

"Night and the City"

In this 1950 Jules Dassin classic noir shot in London, Widmark pulls out all the stops as Harry Fabian, a small-time London hustler who never achieved his dreams of financial success. And he makes a big mistake when he believes promoting professional wrestling in the city will be his ticket to fame.