Lee J. Cobb

Biography

Lee J. Cobb (December 8, 1911 — February 11, 1976) was an American actor. He was best known for his performances in On the Waterfront (1954), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, 12 Angry Men (1957), and The Exorcist (1973). He also played the role of Willy Loman in the original Broadway production of Arthur Miller's 1949 play Death of a Salesman under the direction of Elia Kazan. On television, Cobb costarred in the first four seasons of the popular, long-running western series The Virginian. He typically played arrogant, intimidating, and abrasive characters, but often had roles as respectable figures such as judges. Born Leo Jacob in New York City, he grew up in The Bronx,  before studying at New York University and making his film debut in The Vanishing Shadow (1934).  Cobb performed in numerous theater productions and companies, including Group Theatre (New York) before serving in the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Force during World War II.   Following the war, Cobb returned to film, television and theater before being accused of being a Communist in 1951 testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee by Larry Parks, himself a former Com…

Movies & TV Shows

1. 12 Angry Men (1957) — Juror 3
2. The Exorcist (1973) — Lt. Bill Kinderman
3. On the Waterfront (1954) — Johnny Friendly
4. How the West Was Won (1962) — Marshal Lou Ramsey
5. Coogan's Bluff (1968) — Lt. McElroy
6. Man of the West (1958) — Dock Tobin
7. Exodus (1960) — Barak Ben Canaan
8. Mackenna's Gold (1969) — The Editor
9. Call Northside 777 (1948) — Brian Kelly
10. The Three Faces of Eve (1957) — Doctor Curtis Luther
11. Lawman (1971) — Vincent Bronson
12. The Song of Bernadette (1943) — Dr. Dozous
13. Our Man Flint (1966) — Cramden
14. The Day of the Owl (1968) — Don Mariano Arena
15. Thieves' Highway (1949) — Mike Figlia
16. Gunsmoke (1955) — Col. Josiah Johnson
17. In Like Flint (1967) — Lloyd C. Cramden
18. Boomerang! (1947) — Chief Harold F. 'Robbie' Robinson
19. The Oscars (1953) — Self
20. Party Girl (1958) — Rico Angelo
21. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962) — Julio Madariaga
22. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956) — Judge Bernstein
23. McCloud (1970) — Alexander Montello
24. The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950) — Lt. Ed Cullen
25. The Brothers Karamazov (1958) — Fyodor Karamazov
26. Johnny O'Clock (1947) — Inspector Koch
27. Sirocco (1951) — Col. Feroud
28. The Left Hand of God (1955) — Mieh Yang
29. Anna and the King of Siam (1946) — Kralahome
30. The Dark Past (1948) — Dr. Andrew Collins
31. Golden Boy (1939) — Mr. Bonaparte
32. The Virginian (1962) — Richter Henry Garth
33. Captain from Castile (1947) — Juan Garcia
34. Green Mansions (1959) — Nuflo
35. The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973) — Lapchance
36. The Garment Jungle (1957) — Walter Mitchell
37. The Liberation of L.B. Jones (1970) — Oman Hedgepath
38. The Luck of the Irish (1948) — David C. Augur
39. The Phantom Creeps (1939) — Road Crew Foreman (archive footage)
40. They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968) — Steve Skorsky

Directed

1. Startime (1959) — Director