The Cowardly Lion Actor was Bert Lahr, who had four letters in his last name. Lahr was an American actor, comedian, and singer who is best remembered for his role as the Cowardly Lion in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. He was also known for his roles in other films such as Flying High, Hold That Ghost, and The Night They Raided Minsky's. Lahr was a popular vaudeville performer and Broadway star before he made his transition to Hollywood. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Wizard of Oz.