Robert Strauss

A seemingly ubiquitous presence in films of the 1950s, this Beefy character actor drifted from one menial job to another before turning to dramatics. He worked on the stage for several years before breaking into movies in 1952. Typically played gruff characters -- sometimes comic, sometimes menacing -- and essayed quite a few gangster roles as well. He won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Animal in Stalag 17 (1953), a role he had originated on Broadway. He also appeared in Sailor Beware (1952), Jumping Jacks (1952), The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954), The Seven Year Itch (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), Attack (1956), Li'l Abner (1959) (as Romeo Scragg), The George Raft Story (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), The Thrill of It All (1963), The Family Jewels (1965), Harlow (1965), Frankie and Johnny (1966), and Fort Utah (1967), to name a few, in addition to many TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. He was incapacitated during the final years of his life, from a paralytic stroke.

Burly American character actor with a deep gravelly voice who was equally adept at comedy and drama. The son of a theatrical costume designer, Strauss worked as a salesman and also as a singing waiter and busboy before finding success in the stage version of "Detective Story" on Broadway. He appeared with José Ferrer in the Broadway revival of "Twentieth Century. " Also on Broadway, he played "Animal" in "Stalag, 17", and repeated the role in the film version (Stalag 17 (1953)). The wildly comic yet appealing character brought Strauss an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.