George Bancroft (1882-1956) was an American actor known for his strong screen presence and his "tough guy" roles in silent films and the early sound era.

He rose to stardom thanks to Josef von Sternberg. His role in *Underworld* (1927) established him as a cinematic gangster icon, a genre he helped define. Other significant performances include *The Docks of New York* (1928) and *Thunderbolt* (1929), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

He often embodied rugged and straightforward characters: honest policemen, underworld figures, laborers. His acting style was direct and unadorned, lending him a raw authenticity. Although his popularity waned in the 1930s, he had a notable supporting role in John Ford's *Stagecoach* (1939).