http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/?ref_=nv_sr_1
His resume is quite impressive. Both on the acting end, and the directing end. Directing end, you know you have chops when you can direct both sides of a war film. With one side being in a totally different language, and you get a best picture nomination out of it.
As an actor, think I liked the Good, the Bad and the Ugly the most. Those spaghetti westerns were something. Directing, Million Dollar Baby.