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Spaghetti western star Eli Wallach dies at 98 | USA NOW

Spaghetti western star Eli Wallach dies at 98

CLINT EASTWOOD HAS FOND MEMORIES OF ELI WALLACH, HIS CO-STAR IN 1966'S THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

THE 98-YEAR-OLD WALLACH DIED ON TUESDAY IN NEW YORK.

"ELI WALLACH WAS A WONDERFUL GUY AND A WONDERFUL ACTOR. I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF US WORKING TOGETHER," EASTWOOD SAID IN A STATEMENT.

EASTWOOD RECALLED THAT THE TWO HAD A "REUNION" IN THE EASTWOOD-DIRECTED 2003 FILM MYSTIC RIVER IN WHICH ELI HAD A ROLE. "ELI WILL BE SADLY MISSED.''

WALLACH PLAYED A LIQUOR STORE OWNER IN THE FILM WHO GETS QUESTIONED BY POLICE OFFICERS PLAYED BY KEVIN BACON AND LAURENCE FISHBOURNE.

"IT WAS GREAT WORKING TOGETHER AGAIN." SAID EASTWOOD OF THE REUNION. "ELI WILL BE SADLY MISSED."

BACON RECALLED WHAT IT WAS LIKE WORKING ON MYSTIC RIVER WITH TWO OF HOLLYWOOD'S LEGENDARY ACTORS.

"IT WAS AN AMAZING MOMENT FOR ME TO BE ON THE SET WORKING WITH BOTH ELI AND CLINT. SO MUCH EXPERIENCE THERE, AND A GENUINE WARMTH BETWEEN THEM," SAYS BACON. "I WILL CHERISH THAT MEMORY. "

DURING A CAREER THAT SPANNED SIX DECADES, THE BROOKLYN-BORN WALLACH WILL BEST BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS ROLE AS THE MEXICAN BANDIT TUCO IN THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY. HE EVEN CALLED HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND ME; IN MY ANECDOTAGE.