ACTOR · BORN 1901 · DIED 1982
Lee Strasberg
- Born
- 17 November 1901, Budzanów, Austria-Hungary
- Died
- 17 February 1982
- Known for
- The Godfather Part II (1974), ...And Justice for All (1979), The Cassandra Crossing (1976), The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992)
20 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (20)
- #001
Lee Strasberg was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of mafia financier Hyman Roth in the 1974 film The Godfather Part II. The award, however, went to Robert De Niro for his performance as the young Vito Corleone in the same film. Strasberg's performance is regarded as one of the most memorable supporting turns in cinema history.
- #002
The actor Martin Landau stated that Strasberg was extremely demanding and rigorous as an acting teacher. According to Landau, Strasberg's insistence that actors push themselves toward flawless performances was always right. This disciplined approach had a significant impact on his students' careers.
- #003
Lee Strasberg served as the chief teacher and director of the Actors Studio for more than thirty years. During that time he trained giants of American cinema such as Al Pacino, Ben Gazzara, Martin Landau, Eli Wallach and Ellen Burstyn. He never taught Marlon Brando, however, the man who made 'method' acting famous; Brando worked with Stella Adler. Even so, Brando supported the Studio and regularly attended its classes.
- #004
On 13 February 1982, the Night of 100 Stars charity event held at Radio City Music Hall in New York was both Lee Strasberg's last film appearance and his last public appearance. At the event he danced in a chorus line with his students Al Pacino and Robert De Niro alongside the world-famous Radio City Rockettes dance troupe. The moment was a poignant finale to Strasberg's artistic life.
- #005
Lee Strasberg emigrated to the United States with his family in 1909, when he was only seven years old. He did not obtain American citizenship until 1936, however. This emigration marked the beginning of his extraordinary career in theatre and cinema.
- #006
In her will, Marilyn Monroe left Lee Strasberg full control over 75% of her estate, in gratitude for the guidance and kindness he showed her both before and after she became a star. That control included the licensing of Monroe's image. Today Strasberg's widow, Anna Strasberg, manages this combined legacy and earns millions of dollars a year in licensing revenue from advertisers' use of Monroe's image.
- #007
Lee Strasberg and his student Al Pacino appeared together in two films: the 1974 production The Godfather Part II and the 1979 production And Justice for All. These two films are regarded as among the finest examples of a mentor-protégé relationship on screen.
- #008
By playing the Jewish gangster Hyman Roth in The Godfather Part II, Lee Strasberg became one of the rare instances of a Jewish actor playing a Jewish gangster. Previously, Jewish actors such as James Caan, Abe Vigoda and Eli Wallach had portrayed Italian mafia figures, while the Italian actor Alex Rocco had played a Jewish mafia character. Strasberg's casting is seen as a step that broke the conventions of the era.
- #009
Because of his strong ties to New York City, Lee Strasberg was one of the most unusual figures honoured on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star was unveiled on 27 November 1977 at 6757 Hollywood Boulevard. The honour is regarded as a reflection of his contributions to the world of cinema.
- #010
When Lee Strasberg died on 17 February 1982, he left an estate worth 1.5 million dollars, not counting his 75% share of Marilyn Monroe's estate. This estate was an indication of the material gain he had accumulated over his artistic life.
- #011
Lee Strasberg was buried in Westchester Hills Cemetery, located in the village of Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County, about 20 miles north of New York City. He lies in the same plot as his second wife, Paula Strasberg, who died in 1966 at about the age of 57. Westchester Hills is a Jewish cemetery where many famous entertainment and performing arts figures are also buried.
- #012
Lee Strasberg had four children: John Strasberg and Susan Strasberg with his second wife, Paula Strasberg, and Adam Strasberg and David Lee Strasberg with his third and last wife, Anna Strasberg. Some of his children followed in their father's footsteps and built careers in the arts.
- #013
Lee Strasberg's eldest son, John Strasberg, teaches at the Actors Studio in Manhattan, as his father did. He is not its general manager or director, however, as Lee was. Lee's roles as general manager and director of the Actors Studio are today filled by six people. Ellen Burstyn, Harvey Keitel and Al Pacino serve as co-presidents of the studio in both Manhattan and West Hollywood.
- #014
On 27-28 October 1999, the Christie's auction house sold a large portion of Marilyn Monroe's personal belongings at auction. In her will, Monroe had wished for Strasberg to distribute these items among her friends and colleagues. Strasberg largely failed to carry out this distribution, however, and upon his death ownership of the items passed to his last wife, Anna Strasberg, who had never met Monroe. The auction was a major event for Monroe's fans and collectors.
- #015
Lee Strasberg was born the son of an innkeeper. These modest origins formed the foundation of his perseverance and determination in his artistic life.
- #016
For the role of Hyman Roth in The Godfather Part II, Elia Kazan, Strasberg's colleague from the Group Theatre and a famous director, was initially considered. The role was ultimately given to Strasberg, however. This choice marked the beginning of one of the most important actor-director collaborations in cinema history.
- #017
Lee Strasberg appeared alongside his wife Paula Strasberg and his children John and Susan Strasberg in an online exhibition created by the Italian actor Giovanni Morassutti on the Google Arts & Culture platform in 2020. The exhibition presents the Strasberg family's contributions to the art world to visitors in digital form.
- #018
Lee Strasberg's biography appears on pages 766-768 of the first volume (1981-1985) of the encyclopedia 'The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives'. The work was published in New York in 1998 by Charles Scribner's Sons and documents the lives of important figures who left their mark on American cultural history.
- #019
Lee Strasberg was unable to establish a good working relationship with the actress Stella Adler, a fellow member of the Group Theatre. They clashed greatly over Stanislavski's teachings and eventually each developed their own acting system. While Adler focused on imagination, Strasberg concentrated on emotional memory. This split was a major turning point in American theatre history.
- #020
In the production 'She-Wolf in Hollywood: The Story of Maria Ouspenskaya' (2024), Lee Strasberg is remembered as one of the famous actress Maria Ouspenskaya's students. The film deals with Ouspenskaya's life in Hollywood and her influence on her students.
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