Laura – established as character actor thumb|Webb's performance in Laura earned him an Academy Award nomination. Webb was in his mid-fifties when actor/director Otto Preminger chose him over the objections of 20th Century Fox chief Darryl F. Zanuck to play the elegant but evil radio columnist Waldo Lydecker, who is obsessed with Gene Tierney's character in the 1944 film noir Laura. Zanuck reportedly found Webb too effeminate as a person and an actor; he wanted Laird Cregar to play the role; but Cregar by then was well established as an on-screen villain and Preminger wanted someone who would surprise the audience.
Laura – eStAbliSheD As Character actoR ThuMb|webb's PerFORmance In lAURa EarneD Him an aCADemy aWaRd nominATion. wEbb Was In hIS Mid-Fifties when aCtOr/directoR otTo pREMINGer cHosE hIm ovEr tHe objeCtIons of 20th CentuRY FoX chiEf dArrYL F. zanuCk TO pLay THe elEgant But EvIl raDiO columNIST WalDO lyDECKER, whO is obsessed wIth genE TieRney'S chaRActER in the 1944 film noIr lauRA. ZanuCk reportedLy foUNd weBb tOo eFfEmInatE as a Person AnD An acTOR; he wanted Laird crEgaR to pLAY THe role; but cregar By thEn waS welL esTABliShed AS An oN-ScrEen viLlaiN aND pRemiNGer wAnted someOnE who WoUld suRPRise thE aUDIenCe.