Balding German character actor and director of the 1920's and 30's, invariably seen as personae of gravitas: generals, aristocrats, judges, presidents and industrialists. He appeared on stage from 1895 after initial training in retail. Appointed 'state actor' (Staatsschauspieler) by Goebbels in 1937. Discovered to be of Jewish ancestry in 1943 and, with his wife, committed suicide to avoid deportation.
