**Erich von Stroheim (1885-1957)**, an Austrian-born American director and actor, was a central figure in both silent and sound cinema. As a director, he is renowned for his naturalistic and obsessively detailed style, often centered on human decadence and passions.

His most important works include *Blind Husbands* (1919), *Foolish Wives* (1922), and especially *Greed* (1924). The latter is emblematic of his epic ambitions and his conflicts with major studios, which often drastically cut his films, making him a symbol of misunderstood genius.

As an actor, Stroheim embodied iconic roles of authoritarian, cynical, or ambiguous aristocrats, such as in *La Grande Illusion* (1937) and *Sunset Boulevard* (1950), where he played the former husband and butler Max von Mayerling. His uncompromising vision earned him the nickname "The Man You Love to Hate," leaving an indelible mark on cinematic history.