​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Lee Strasberg (November 17, 1901 – February 17, 1982) was an American actor, director and acting teacher.  He cofounded, with directors Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford, the Group Theatre in 1931, which was hailed as "America's first true theatrical collective".  In 1951, he became director of the non-profit Actors Studio, in New York City, considered "... show more