Paul Muni - ©Theda Bara

The name I bring to you in this post is that of the Ukrainian actor Paul Muni, who won the Oscar for best actor in 1937, for his performance in the film: “The Story of Louis Pasteur” (1936) in the biographical role of the French microbiologist “Louis Pasteur”.

The actor also won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, in Italy, in the film: “The Story of Louis Pasteur” (1936) and the Tony Awards, Broadway for Best Leading Actor in the play: “Inherit the Wind” (1956).

Paul Muni has his star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, at 6433 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Cinema category.

Paul Muni, born Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund on September 22, 1895, Lviv, Ukraine, died on August 25, 1967, Montecito, California, United States, less than a month shy of his 72nd birthday.

Paul Muni is one of the few Hollywood actors who was married only once, to fellow actress Bella Finkel Muni (1898-1971) from 1921 to 1967, when Bella became the actor's widow. The couple had no children.