Theodore Bikel (1924-2015) was a prolific Austrian-American actor, renowned character actor, remembered for his versatility and deep, distinctive voice.

His film career began with a small but notable role in *The African Queen* (1951). However, it was his role as the jailer, Sheriff Max Muller, in *The Defiant Ones* (1958) that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Bikel was often cast as characters of various nationalities—including Russians, Germans, or Jews—thanks to his ability to master various accents. He played iconic roles such as Professor Zoltán Kárpáthy in *My Fair Lady* (1964) and had prominent parts in films like *Sands of the Kalahari* (1965). His style was characterized by an authoritative presence and an ability to infuse his characters with depth and credibility, often portraying wise, sometimes menacing figures.