Bert Lahr was an American actor, best known for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. He was born Irving Lahrheim in New York City in 1895 and began his career as a comedian in vaudeville. He later went on to appear in numerous Broadway shows and films, including the role of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. His performance as the Cowardly Lion earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.