Herbert Lom Biography

Fast Facts

• Served as an announcer for the BBC's Czech and German section during World War II
• After making small appearances in Czech films, he was forced to escape his native Prague following the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, finding refuge in Britain, where he appeared in a number of British films
• His film debut came in the 1937 film "Zena pod krízem․"
• Quote: "In English eyes all foreigners are sinister․"
• Best known for his role in "The Ladykillers" and "The Pink Panther" series of films
• Known for portraying professionals and menacing villains
• Picked the stage name "Lom" after searching the shortest in the phonebook, a far cry from his lengthy given name