Paul Muni (born
Frederich Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund; September 22, 1895 – August 25, 1967) was an American stage and film actor who was born in
Lemberg (
Austro-Hungarian Empire) and grew up in Chicago. He started his acting career in the
Yiddish theatre. During the 1930s, he was considered one of the most prestigious actors at
Warner Brothers studios, and was given the rare privilege of choosing which parts he wanted.