Strasberg, Lee

Strasberg, Lee [né Israel Strassberg] (1901–82), director. Born in Poland, he was brought to America at the age of seven and soon developed an interest in theatre, working at a settlement playhouse and later studying at the American Laboratory Theatre. After a time as an actor with the Theatre Guild he joined Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford in founding the Group Theatre. However, for many his main influence was his work at the Actors Studio. Strasberg came to the organization in 1948, a year after its inception, and quickly became its guiding force. There he advocated the “method school” of acting, a style influenced by Stanislavsky's theories and which encouraged performers to respond as much to their own inner feelings as to the requirements of the text or dramatic effectiveness. Although the result was that the American theatre was beset with much undisciplined and inelegant acting, a number of fine performers emerged from his classes. These included Anne Bancroft, Julie Harris, Geraldine Page, Kim Stanley, and Maureen Stapleton. His daughter Susan Strasberg became a well‐known actress.