Robert Strauss(1913-1975)

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 Attente ai marinai! (1952), Il caporale Sam (1952), I ponti di Toko Ri (1954), Quando la moglie è in vacanza (1955), L'uomo dal braccio d'oro (1955), Prima linea (1956), Il villaggio più pazzo del mondo (1959) (as Romeo Scragg), Testa o croce (1961), Cento ragazze e un marinaio (1962), Quel certo non so che (1963), I 7 magnifici Jerry (1965), Harlow (1965), Frankie and Johnny (1966), and I disertori di 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.