Sabu Dastagir, born in 1924 in Mysore, India, rose to fame after being discovered as a young mahout and starring in Elephant Boy (1937). His natural screen presence led to major roles in iconic adventure films like The Thief of Bagdad (1940) and Jungle Book (1942), making him Hollywood’s first Indian star. During World War II, he served as a decorated tail gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, his career declined due to typecasting, though he continued acting in films like Song of India (1949). He married Marilyn Cooper, had two children, and settled in the U.S. In 1951, he visited India as a celebrated star but remained primarily in Hollywood. Tragically, he passed away in 1963 at just 39 due to a heart attack. Despite his short life, Sabu’s legacy endures as a pioneer for Indian actors in international cinema, with his films remaining classics in adventure storytelling.