Peter Lorre’s chill-inducing presence turned him into a go-to character actor for eerie villains and bizarre outsiders, from his unsettling turn as Joel Cairo in The Maltese Falcon to the unnerving Mr. Moto in a series of mystery thrillers. His knack for blending menace with vulnerability shines in Roger Corman’s macabre comedies like Tales of Terror and The Comedy of Terrors, where he brought deadpan wit to horror spoofs. Lorre also lent his distinctive voice to Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, adding a layer of intrigue to the story’s mysterious figures. His collaborations with directors like John Huston left a lasting mark on classic noir and horror cinema.