Nestor Paiva (1905-1966) was an American actor of Portuguese descent, known for his prolific career as a character actor in Hollywood. Active from the late 1930s until his death, he appeared in over 250 film and television productions, specializing in supporting roles. His most iconic role is that of Lucas, the captain of the boat "Rita," in the science fiction film *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (1954) and its sequel, *Revenge of the Creature* (1955). Thanks to his distinctive physical features and voice, he frequently portrayed characters of various ethnicities, such as Italian, Spanish, or Mexican, in roles ranging from comedic to villainous. His filmography includes appearances in notable television series such as *The Lone Ranger*, *Zorro*, and *The Beverly Hillbillies*. Although he did not receive any major awards, Paiva is remembered today as one of the most familiar and reliable faces of classic American cinema and television, a mainstay of the industry for nearly three decades.