Lee J. Cobb

Born Leo Jacoby in New York City, Lee J. Cobb possessed a theatrical gravitas that belied his humble origins. He rose to prominence on the stage, notably as the original Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," a role he would later reprise for television. Not bad for a nice Jewish boy who changed his name.

Cobb’s film career was equally impactful, with iconic performances in classics like "On the Waterfront" and "12 Angry Men," often playing menacing or authoritative figures. He perfected the art of the slow burn, making every scowl and shouted word count.

While his professional life was decidedly public, his Jewish identity remained largely in the background, a common choice for actors of his era. He didn't exactly wear a Star of David around his neck on screen, preferring to let his raw talent do the talking. Good thing, too, because Hollywood at the time wasn't exactly tripping over itself to cast "Leo Jacoby" in leading man roles.

Despite the name change and the subdued public Jewish identity, his talent brought undeniable nachas to audiences worldwide. We'll just have to imagine what his mother thought of Johnny Friendly.