Stacy Keach often portrays policemen and detectives on screen. Keach's intimidating presence, coupled with the mustache he has kept for years, has made him a standby for these types of parts. What some people may not know, though, is that Keach wears his mustache to hide his cleft lip and partial cleft palate.
As his career has advanced, however, Keach has started wearing his scars openly. Honesty is an important message that Keach works to embody — not only for his own mental health, but also to proudly represent those born with craniofacial differences. He joined the board of the World Craniofacial Foundation in 2000, the year in which he also accepted a position as a spokesperson for the organization.
While Keach has played many parts in the entertainment industry, from Shakespeare performer to composer, the part of advocate for the cleft community is an incredibly special one. "The message is constant and clear," he detailed in 2016. "Use whatever talent you discover you have to offset any negativity coming your way. Let your 'special circumstances' become a motor to achieve greatness in whatever field you choose to pursue."
