George Zucco

British actor George Zucco began his career during the transition from silent films to pictures with sound. After honing his craft as a vaudeville actor in the 1910s, Zucco made his screen debut in the 1931 film "The Dreyfus Case," which chronicled the conviction of French officer Alfred Dreyfus for treason in 1894. Following his debut, Zucco followed a career path whereby he would take nearly every role he was offered, resulting in a colossal filmography. One of his most iconic roles came in 1939 when Zucco played the villainous Professor Moriarty in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." His popular turn as an antagonist opened up new doors in Hollywood--in particular, he went on to play numerous characters in Universal Pictures horror films. Zucco was usually featured in a supporting role as a sinister intellectual. He played Dr. Lorenzo Cameron in 1942's "The Mad Monster," the titular character in 1942's "Dr. Renault's Secret," and Dr. Alfred Morris in 1943's "The Mad Ghoul," among other nefarious roles. From 1940 to 1947 alone, Zucco starred in almost two-dozen horror films. Nevertheless, he found time to return to Sherlock Holmes mysteries in 1943, playing a Nazi spy in "Sherlock Holmes in Washington." Astonishing as it may seem, Zucco acted in nearly 100 films in the span of his 20-year career.