20 Action Legends America Grew Up Watching. 1. John Wayne (1907 to 1979) Western screen titan. 2. Charles Bronson (1921 to 2003) Stoic tough guy. 3. Steve McQueen (1930 to 1980) King of cool. 4. Clint Eastwood (born 1930) Hard edged lawman. 5. Chuck Norris (1940 to 2026) Martial arts hero. 6. Bruce Lee (1940 to 1973) Martial arts legend. 7. Harriso