**John Lurie** (1952) is an American actor, musician, and artist, an iconic figure of independent cinema. His film career is inextricably linked to director Jim Jarmusch, who cast him as the lead in cult films.

Lurie shone in central roles in works such as **Stranger Than Paradise** (1984), where he played the disillusioned Willie, and **Down by Law** (1986), as part of the trio of escaped convicts alongside Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni. Other appearances include Jarmusch's first feature film, *Permanent Vacation* (1980), and David Lynch's *Wild at Heart* (1990).

His acting style is distinguished by a charismatic yet enigmatic presence. He often portrays laconic, disillusioned, melancholic, or nonconformist characters, with a dry wit, perfectly embodying the indie noir aesthetic. His distinctive face and his 'outsider' aura made him an icon of 1980s alternative cinema.