Thomas Gomez (1905-1971) was an American actor of film, stage, and television. He began his career on the stage, becoming a prominent member of the Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne theater company. In the 1940s, he moved to Hollywood, where he established himself as one of the most versatile and recognizable character actors of his generation, often specializing in roles as villains or authoritarian figures with an imposing physique. His performance in the film noir *Ride the Pink Horse* (1947) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first Hispanic-American actor to receive the honor. Among his many other memorable film appearances are *Key Largo* (1948), *Force of Evil* (1948), *The Great Caruso* (1951), and *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (1970). His career also continued successfully in television, with appearances in popular series until his death.