Robert Strauss was an American actor, known for his work as a character actor, often in comedic or everyman roles. His career began on Broadway, where he achieved great success playing Stanislas "Animal" Kasava in the stage production of *Stalag 17*. He reprised the same role in the 1953 film adaptation directed by Billy Wilder, a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His filmography also includes notable titles such as *The Seven Year Itch* (1955), also directed by Wilder, *The Man with the Golden Arm* (1955), and *The Bridges at Toko-Ri* (1954). In his later years, he was also very active in numerous television productions. With his imposing physique and hoarse voice, Strauss established himself as one of the most recognizable and versatile character actors of post-war American cinema.