Mike Mazurki

Professional heavyweight wrestler turned character actor. Mazurki was discovered by Josef von Sternberg and made his screen debut in a bit part in his 1941 film "The Shanghai Gesture."

Typecast as dull-witted, sharp-knuckled thugs in a score of supporting roles, because of his huge frame, coarse features and harsh voice, Mazurki created his first memorable character--Moose Malloy, the ex-convict seeking his lost love--in the film noir "Murder, My Sweet" (1944). Surprisingly he played the lead in the children's nature-adventure film, "Challenge to Be Free" (1976). From the 1950s, Mazurki pursued a second career, refereeing championship wrestling matches in the US, Europe and the Far East.