“I sometimes wonder if the inability to find oneself makes one seek oneself in other people, in characters.”

The graceful and masterly chameleon John Cazale, pictured here with Meryl Streep and in three of his greatest roles in The Godfather Part II, The Conversation, and Dog Day Afternoon, passed away on this day at the age of 42 in 1978.

Cazale only made five movies in his lifetime (all of them Best Picture nominees), but each one is as singular and indelible as the talent of this underappreciated genius who was taken from this world far too soon. ❤️