The epitomy of Viennese charm, urbane Hans Holt was the son of a master glazier. He trained for acting at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and spent several years honing his craft at local and provincial theatres. He began on screen in 1936 and quickly established himself as a popular leading man of romances and musical comedies (he also sang), often paired with Paula Wessely or Maria Holst. He was latterly active in television. In 1963, he was awarded the Austrian Decoration (Ehrenabzeichen) for Science and Art. In 1987, he received the 'Filmband in Gold' for services to German cinema.