#17: He Becomes a Major Hollywood Star in with The Maltese Falcon
Later in 1941, he starred as private detective Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon, directed by John Huston. The film followed a complex investigation involving crime, deception, and a valuable statue, placing him at the center of a tightly constructed mystery.

The movie became a major success and is often associated with the rise of film noir in American cinema. His performance as the calm and calculating detective helped establish the screen persona that would define many of his most famous roles.
