**Werner Krauss (1884-1959)** was an influential German actor, a central figure in Expressionist cinema. His most iconic performance was as the mysterious and maniacal Dr. Caligari in *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* (1920), where his intense and stylized acting helped define the genre's aesthetic.

Krauss was known for his extraordinary capacity for transformation and versatility in bringing to life complex characters, often grotesque, unsettling, or sinister. Other significant roles include Fritz Lang's *The Hands of Orlac* (1924) and *Die Nibelungen* (1924).

His career was unfortunately marred by his involvement in Nazi propaganda films during the Third Reich, notably *Jud Süß* (1940), where he portrayed multiple caricatured and antisemitic roles. Nonetheless, Krauss is remembered for his lasting impact on cinematic acting, shaping unforgettable figures of the silent era and beyond.