Erich von Stroheim was an Austrian-American film director, actor and screenwriter whose career spanned over 30 years in Hollywood. Some of his most notable works include the silent films "Greed" (1924) and "The Merry Widow" (1925). Other synonyms for Erich von Stroheim might include "golden age Hollywood icon," "auteur," "legendary filmmaker," "silent film pioneer," "character actor," and "cinematic trailblazer." Despite facing controversy, von Stroheim's contribution to cinema was inimitable, with his bold and innovative storytelling techniques paving the way for future generations of filmmakers to follow.