Trivia

His father was a poor shoemaker, who moved to Berlin with his family in 1909 to work as a nightwatchman. Thus, Erwin started working as a delivery boy and servant at the age of 14.

Father of two sons, Matti Geschonneck and Alexander Geschonneck, and a daughter, Fina.

Was voted "best East German actor ever" in a survey by "Film und Fernsehen" magazine (1992).

Had two older siblings, Bruno and Käthe.

Was awarded East Germany's prestigious National Prize four times (1954, 1960, 1961, 1968).

Despite being a strong supporter of the communist movement, he appeared in several movies criticizing the East German government, which were not banned due to his reputation.

Became a member of Bertolt Brecht's famous Berlin Ensemble in 1949, where he played many important stage roles such as "Dorfrichter Adam" in "Der zerbrochene Krug" ("The Broken Jug") or "Don Juan".

Was married four times.

The plot of Der Mann von der Cap Arcona (1982) is based on his experiences during the sinking of the Cap Arcona.

Was chosen Honorary Member of the German Film Academy (2004).

Joined the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) in 1929.

His biggest success occurred in the German Democratic Republic, where he was considered one of the most famous actors of the time.

He was a member of the jury at the 6th and 7th Moscow International Film Festivals.

In 1945, Geschonneck was one of the few prisoners who survived the RAF sinking of the Cap Arcona.

In 1919, the younger Geschonneck joined the Communist Party of Germany.

His last film, made in 1995 for the German television network ARD, was Matulla und Busch, where he played alongside veteran actor Fred Delmare. Geschonneck's son Matti Geschonneck directed.

Immediately following the war, Geschonneck acted in theaters in Hamburg, Germany, and made his film debut in 1947 in In jenen Tagen. He subsequently moved to East Germany, worked with Bertolt Brecht, and became a successful actor.

Geschonneck was featured in the German film Jacob the Liar by Frank Beyer, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1977 Academy Awards - the only nomination for the GDR.

After the Nazi takeover in 1933, he emigrated to the Soviet Union via Poland, but was expelled in 1938 and moved to Prague. After the German occupation of Bohemia and Moravia, he was arrested on 31 March 1939.

He described his experiences as a political prisoner in the Sachsenhausen, Dachau, and Neuengamme concentration camps in his autobiography, Meine unruhigen Jahre (1984).