Bert Lahr was a comic 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 on the vaudeville circuit. He went on to appear in numerous Broadway shows, films, and television programs throughout his career. Lahr was also a successful comedian, often performing in nightclubs and on radio shows. He died in 1967 at the age of 72.