Peter Lorre (June 26, 1904 – March 23, 1964) was a Hungarian-American actor known for his distinctive voice, bulging eyes, and neurotic screen persona. He gained international fame for his role as a child murderer in Fritz Lang's 1931 German film 'M', which remains a landmark in cinema history. After fleeing Nazi Germany, Lorre moved to Hollywood, where he became a iconic character actor in horror films and film noir, appearing in classics such as 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941), 'Casablanca' (1942), and 'The Big Heat' (1953). His career spanned German Expressionism, Hollywood's Golden Age, and post-war international cinema. Lorre's unique style influenced generations of actors and left a lasting mark on popular culture.
