**John Cassavetes** (1929-1989) was an American actor and director, a central figure in American independent cinema. Although more renowned for his innovative directing, he had a significant and intense acting career.

Cassavetes was known for portraying complex characters, often tormented or vulnerable, with a naturalistic and visceral acting style. Among his most iconic roles are Guy Woodhouse in Roman Polanski's *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), and Victor Franko in Robert Aldrich's *The Dirty Dozen* (1967), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

He skillfully alternated Hollywood productions with roles in his own independent films (such as *Husbands* or *Minnie and Moskowitz*), where his raw and emotional screen presence was always central.