Roman Bohnen (November 24 1894 or 1901 - February 24 1949) was a stage and film actor.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bohnen attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1923 with a B.A. He served his acting apprenticeship in theater companies in St. Paul and Chicago before making his Broadway debut in 1931 in As Husbands Go. Between 1934 and 1940, he belonged to the Group Theatre and appeared in numerous plays. Incubator, which he co-wrote with John Lyman, was produced in 1932.

Bohnen's first film was the 1937 Vogues of 1938. By 1941, he was working almost exclusively in film. Among his better-known roles are Candy in Of Mice and Men (1939) and Pat Derry in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).

Bohnen was married to actress Hildur Ouse, with whom he had one daughter, Marina. Hildur died in 1941.

A co-founder of the politically-active Actors Laboratory Theatre, he was working on its production of A Distant Isle when he collapsed and died in Hollywood, California in 1949. After his death, he was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Hollywood character player of the 40's.

Roman Bohnen, known as "Bud" to his family and friends was not only an excellent film actor but also a stage actor of note. As a member of the prestigious Group Theatre from 1934-40, he appeared in such classic productions as "Waiting for Lefty", "Golden Boy", "Awake and Sing" and "The Gentle People". He left for Hollywood in the late 30's to pursue a film career mainly as an effort to earn money for his family and ailing wife, Hilda. In film he is perhaps best known for his performances as: Candy in "Of Mice and Men" with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr., Francois Soubirous in the "Song of Bernadette" and as Pat Derry in William Wyler's classic, "The Best Years of Our Lives". The latter role although a small one is beautifully played. It is a rare opportunity to see a full life artfully created in a few short scenes. Take a look in particular at the scene where "Bud" reads the citations awarded to his son, Fred Derry (ably played by Dana Andrews). It is rich with the feeling and pride of a father, helpless to provide for his son (with beautiful support by the great Gladys George as Hortense). Roman was also an integral member of "The Actor's Laboratory Theatre" in Hollywood. He was stricken with a heart attack while performing on stage for the Lab Theatre and died shortly after at age 54. It was said that he was sent to his death due to the enormous pressure he was getting from government investigators to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Actress Lee Grant, a close friend of Roman's and fresh on the heels of her great successes in the stage and film productions of "Detective Story" (garnered her a Critic's Circle Award and an Academy Award Nomination as the "Shoplifter".) Ms. Grant knowing the awful pressures exerted upon Roman and the possible fallout that was wreaking havoc in the film community gave a moving eulogy at Roman Bohnen's funeral. This eulogy was printed in "Red Channels" and effectively squelched Ms. Grant's film career for over 25 years. It was her small but wonderfully played role as Mrs. Colbert in Norman Jewison's "In the Heat of the Night" that revived her film career. Such was only two of the numerous tragedies done to American Artists of the time.