Born in Budzanov, Austria-Hungary (now Budanov, Ukraine) Lee Strasberg emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of seven and was raised on the Lower East Side of New York City. By the age of 15 he had started acting in plays, beginning his professional career in the 1920s with the Theatre Guild. In 1931 he became one of the founders of the Group Theatre, staging plays for ten years before moving to Hollywood from 1941 to 1948. He returned to Manhattan to join the Actors Studio, holding the job of artistic director until his death. In 1937 he appeared in the film Parnell in an uncredited role, and is likely best known for his 1974 role of Hyman Roth in The Godfather Part II.
Lee Strasberg suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 80
