Erich Ponto(1884-1957)

Incisive German character actor, on stage from 1908. The son of a manufacturer, he was initially trained as a pharmacist, but instead decided to take on acting lessons under Hans Lackner in Munich. Ponto rarely enjoyed leads (except for playing the title role in _Schneider Wibbel (1939)_ ), but was consistently impressive in eccentric, shrewd or sinister character parts. He achieved some international fame as Dr. Winkel in Carol Reed's _The Third Man (1949).