In this biography the author traces Steiger's life and work, from his time as a torpedo man in the Navy to his recently re-established career in the movies. It looks at the early rise of one of the best-known exponents of the Method school of acting, charting the success of films like On the Waterfront, In the Heat of the Night and No Way to Treat a Lady. It goes on to discuss the hard times - three broken marriages and a depression that lasted several years - and the resurrection of Steiger's career after his recovery. The author's friendship with the actor can be seen throughout the text, where the assessment of Steiger's life is often interlaced with personal reminiscences.