Bert Lahr was an actor best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. He was born in New York City in 1895 and began his career in vaudeville. He was a popular stage performer and appeared in many Broadway shows, including the original production of Animal Crackers. He also starred alongside James Cagney in the 1933 film Footlight Parade. Lahr was a close friend of fellow actor Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.