A native of Bremen who first worked in a steel foundry, he later trained as a Luftwaffe radio operator before turning to drama in 1948, studying under Gustaf Gründgens at Düsseldorf’s State Conservatory and securing his debut at the local Schauspielhaus. Fluent in German, French, Italian and English, he became a prolific character actor, often cast as Nazi officers or other menacing figures. Notab…
