Strother Martin (1919-1980) was an American character actor, renowned for his portrayals of eccentric characters, often ambiguous, mean-spirited, or authoritarian, yet with a touch of vulnerability. His screen presence was unmistakable, characterized by a lean physique and a drawling, nasal voice.

He is famous for his portrayal of the Captain in *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), from which the iconic line "What we've got here is failure to communicate" originates. Other notable films include the Westerns *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* (1969), *The Wild Bunch* (1969), and *True Grit* (1969), as well as the sports comedy *Slap Shot* (1977). Martin left an indelible mark on cinema, especially in roles as villains or controversial figures.