David Landau (actor)

David Landau (1879 – 1935) was an American character actor. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Landau built a successful stage career before transitioning to film in the late 1920s. He became known for his imposing presence and often played stern, authoritative figures, particularly villains and authority figures in crime dramas and social commentary films.

Landau's notable stage credits include performances in productions such as "The Kibitzer" and "The Last Mile." He achieved critical acclaim for his work on Broadway.

In film, Landau's most memorable roles include his portrayal of the oppressive warden in "The Last Mile" (1932), a role he also played on stage. Other significant film appearances were in "The Public Enemy" (1931), where he played a gangster, and "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang" (1932), where he again embodied a figure of harsh authority. He was often typecast due to his physical appearance and demeanor, but he consistently delivered powerful and memorable performances.

David Landau died in 1935 at the age of 56 in Los Angeles, California, after a brief illness. His career, though cut short, left a lasting mark on both the stage and early sound film.