This veteran character actor made his mark with an Oscar nominated performance (for Best Supporting Actor) in "Marty" (1955), a noted "buddy" role that he reprised from the celebrated 1953 TV play by Paddy Chayefsky. The late 1950s and early 60s were Mantell's busiest period in features, with roles in "Storm Center" (1956), "The Sad Sack" and "Beau James" (1957); he also contributed a memorable bit as a travelling salesman in Alfred Hitchcock's chilling "The Birds" (1963). Mantell is also known for playing Lawrence Walsh, an associate of Jack Nicholson's Jake Gittes in Roman Polanski's
