Beginning with the 1950 film noir Sunset Boulevard, followed by his Academy Award Best Actor-winning performance in the 1953 comedy-drama Stalag 17.
He was also a scene-stealer in the 1954 rom-com hit Sabrina and a stand-out in the 1957 epic movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. Many reputable film critics regarded his role on the latter to be his finest character portrayal.