Biography

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.

At the same time he appeared more often at theaters again and had among others a great success with the première of Zuckmayr's "Des Teufels General".

He studied at the Viennese Academy for music and performing arts in 1928 and made his debut as an actor two years later at the Viennese Deutsches Volkstheater. In the next years followed other engagements on different stages before he was spotted for the film in 1936.

He was brought into play with support roles which made no difference for his popularity.

Hans Holt was awarded with the "Filmband in Gold" in 1987 for his long-standing and outstanding activity for the German film.