Burly American character actor with a deep gravelly voice who was
equally adept at comedy and drama. The son of a theatrical costume
designer, Strauss worked as a salesman and also as a singing waiter and
busboy before finding success in the stage version of "Detective Story"
on Broadway. He appeared with
José Ferrer in the Broadway revival of
"Twentieth Century." Also on Broadway, he played "Animal" in "Stalag,
17", and repeated the role in the film version (
Stalag 17 (1953)). The wildly
comic yet appealing character brought Strauss an Oscar nomination for
Best Supporting Actor. He had appeared in films as early as 1942 but
became most familiar during the 1950s in memorable roles in such films
as
The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954) and
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955). He continued to appear on stage and also in
many television programs and commercials into the '70s. He died of
complications from a stroke, leaving a widow and three children from
his first marriage.
The Noah(1975)as Noah
Dagmar's Hot Pants, Inc.(1971)as John Blackstone
The Jackie Gleason Show(1966)as Harry - Big Sam's Henchman, Sydney - Bookie
Fort Utah(1967)as Ben Stokes
The Virginian(1962)as Ben Roper
My Mother the Car(1965)
The Dick Van Dyke Show(1961)
Stalag 17(1953)
Today(1952)as Self - Actor
The Mike Douglas Show(1961)as Self - Actor
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson(1962)as Self
The Bob Hope Show(1950)as Self
Here's Hollywood(1960)as Self
Ein Interview Mit Lee Meriwether(2011)
Magnum, P.I.(1980)as Sgt. Stanislaus 'Animal' Kuzawa in Stalag 17
ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration(1978)as Self
Bob Hope's World of Comedy(1976)as Self
The Green Hornet(1974)as Bud Crocker
