John Cazale holds one of the most extraordinary records in Hollywood history. He appeared in only five feature films—The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Deer Hunter—and every single one was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Despite this unmatched achievement, his career was heartbreakingly short. While filming The Deer Hunter, Cazale was battling terminal lung cancer and was so weak that his scenes were filmed first, with his partner

Meryl Streep was desperate. She had no one to help her while her boyfriend, John Cazale, was being devoured by cancer. It was at that moment that De Niro interposed his authority to defend them, thus sparking Meryl's imminent admiration that led them to initiate a close relationship shortly after Cazale's death. | The Stars