Lee J. Cobb (1911-1976) was born Leo Jacoby to Russian & Romanian Jewish parents
from Russia & Romania. His father was a newspaper editor. When Lee was young, he was a good
violinist, but broke his wrist, ending his chances of having a career as a violinist. He was offered
to play the role of Columbo in the 1970s crime mystery TV show, but was unavailable, and it was
instead given to Peter Falk, who did an excellent job at playing the role. One of his most
famous roles is 12 Angry Men (1957). He died in 1976 at only the age of 64.