Erich von Stroheim (1885-1957) was an Austrian-American actor and director, an iconic figure of silent and sound cinema.

Although celebrated for his directing career, particularly with monumental works like *Greed* (1924), it is as an actor that he left an indelible mark, becoming an icon for his roles as a Prussian officer or a cynical and often depraved aristocrat. His imposing presence, penetrating gaze, and measured acting made him perfect for ambiguous and authoritarian characters.

Among his most memorable performances are Captain von Rauffenstein in Jean Renoir's *La Grande Illusion* (1937) and the butler Max von Mayerling in Billy Wilder's *Sunset Boulevard* (1950), where he played a former silent film director in a quasi-autobiographical role. Von Stroheim masterfully embodied decadent dignity and refined wickedness, influencing generations of actors.