Clifton Webb (November 19, 1889 – October 13, 1966) was a dapper American actor, dancer, and singer, celebrated for the sophisticated and acerbic persona he brought to both stage and screen. Long before his film stardom, he was an acclaimed theatrical performer, particularly known for his polished performances in the plays of Noël Coward, such as Blithe Spirit. Webb successfully transferred this stage presence to Hollywood, achieving screen immortality and his first Oscar nomination for the unforgettable role of columnist Waldo Lydecker in the classic noir Laura (1944). He continued to delight audiences with his distinctly fussy and intelligent characters, earning further Academy Award nominations for his roles in The Razor’s Edge (1946) and the beloved comedy Sitting Pretty (1948).
