Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which actor played Marshal Will Kane in High Noon?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The actor who played Marshal Will Kane in the 1952 film High Noon, directed by Fred Zinnemann, was Gary Cooper.1

While the role was originally offered to Gregory Peck, he declined the part, leading to Cooper's casting as the weary, disillusioned lawman. Cooper’s performance in the film earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.1