German actors who were born in 1901
Here are 15 famous actors from Germany were born in 1901:
Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven (June 23, 1901 Unna-March 22, 1975 Munich) was a German screenwriter, film director, actor and author. He had four children, Michael Verhoeven, Lis Verhoeven, Monika Verhoeven and Thomas Schultze-Westrum.
Verhoeven began his career in the German film industry and later moved to Hollywood in the 1960s. He is best known for his films such as "Soldier of Orange", "Robocop", "Basic Instinct" and "Starship Troopers". Verhoeven's films often contained controversial themes and graphic violence, which earned him both critical acclaim and criticism. Aside from directing, Verhoeven also wrote a number of books, including his autobiography titled "Jesus of Nazareth". He passed away in Munich in 1975 at the age of 73.
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Curt Bois
Curt Bois (April 5, 1901 Berlin-December 25, 1991 Berlin) also known as Bois, Curt or Kurt Bois was a German actor, child actor and film director.
He started as a child actor in silent films before transitioning to adult roles in the 1920s. Bois appeared in several notable German films during the 1930s, including "Munchhausen" and "Der Kongress tanzt". However, with the rise of Nazi power in Germany, he fled to France in 1933 and eventually settled in the United States in 1941.
In Hollywood, Bois appeared in several films, including "Casablanca" and "To Be or Not to Be". He also had a successful career on Broadway, starring in productions of "Cabaret" and "The Full Monty".
After World War II, Bois returned to Germany and resumed his career in film and theater. He received numerous awards for his contributions to German cinema, including the Federal Cross of Merit in 1977. Bois continued to act until his death in Berlin at the age of 90 in 1991.
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Wolfgang Langhoff
Wolfgang Langhoff (October 6, 1901 Berlin-August 25, 1966 East Berlin) was a German actor and film director. His children are called Thomas Langhoff and Matthias Langhoff.
Langhoff began his career as a theater actor in the 1920s and went on to perform in various productions throughout Germany. He rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s for his portrayals of heroic characters in propaganda films during the Nazi era. However, he later distanced himself from the regime and became involved in the resistance movement.
After World War II, Langhoff moved to East Berlin and became one of the leading figures in the cultural scene of the German Democratic Republic. He continued to act in films and also directed several productions for stage and screen. Langhoff was a member of the East German parliament and was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to the arts.
Despite his successes, Langhoff faced controversy in the 1950s for his role in the arrest and imprisonment of several fellow intellectuals who were accused of plotting against the government. This episode tarnished his reputation, and some have criticized him for his complicity with the regime.
In addition to his two sons, Langhoff was married to actress and singer Helene Weigel, who was a close collaborator of playwright Bertolt Brecht.
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Gustav Knuth
Gustav Knuth (July 7, 1901 Braunschweig-February 1, 1987 Küsnacht) otherwise known as Gustav Adolf Karl Friedrich Knuth was a German actor and narrator. His child is called Klaus Knuth.
Gustav Knuth started his acting career in the 1920s, performing in theater productions and silent films. He rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s as a stage actor and performer in German films. Knuth's most famous films include "Die Feuerzangenbowle" (The Punch Bowl), "Des Teufels General" (The Devil's General), and "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" (The Captain from Köpenick). His acting style was known for its authenticity and naturalism, and his performances were well respected by both audiences and critics. In addition to his acting career, Knuth was a trained recording artist and lent his voice to several audio books and documentary films. After World War II, he continued his acting career in West Germany and Switzerland, and was awarded the "Cross of Merit" by the government of West Germany for his outstanding contributions to German culture. Gustav Knuth passed away in 1987 at the age of 85.
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Leonard Steckel
Leonard Steckel (January 18, 1901 Ivano-Frankivsk-February 9, 1971 Aitrang) also known as Leonhard Steckel was a German actor and film director. His child is called Anya Steckel.
Steckel started his acting career in the early 1920s, performing in numerous silent films. He gained popularity for his performances in the German Expressionist films, including "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920) and "Nosferatu" (1922). He continued to act in films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, often playing supporting roles.
In the 1950s, Steckel transitioned to directing and produced several films, including "Klettermaxe" (1952) and "Meine 99 Bräute" (1958). He also continued to act during this time, appearing in films and on TV.
Steckel was married three times and had several children. He was also an accomplished painter and sculptor, and his artwork was exhibited in galleries throughout Europe.
After his death in 1971, Steckel's legacy as an actor and director lived on, and his contributions to the film industry continue to be recognized today.
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Wolfgang Zilzer
Wolfgang Zilzer (January 20, 1901 Cincinnati-June 26, 1991 Berlin) a.k.a. Paul Andor, Paul Ander, John Voight, John Voigt, Wolfgang Zilser or Zilzer was a German actor and voice actor.
Zilzer was born in Cincinnati to a German father and an American mother. He began his acting career in Germany in the 1920s, appearing in various theater productions and silent films. Zilzer eventually made his way to Hollywood in 1930, where he appeared in over 90 films throughout his career, often playing the roles of Nazis or other villains.
Despite being typecast in certain roles, Zilzer was known for his versatility as an actor, and he was often praised for his ability to bring depth and nuance to his performances. In addition to his work in film, Zilzer also did extensive voiceover work, lending his distinctive voice to a wide range of radio programs and animated films.
Zilzer retired from acting in the 1960s and returned to his native Germany, where he lived until his death in 1991 at the age of 90. He remains a respected and admired figure in both German and American cinema history.
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José Bohr
José Bohr (September 3, 1901 Bonn-May 29, 1994 Oslo) also known as Yopes Bohr Elzer was a German screenwriter, film producer, film director, actor, film score composer and film editor.
He began his film career in Berlin during the silent era and later moved to Hollywood where he worked on several films including "The Great Dictator" starring Charlie Chaplin. Bohr also worked in Mexico, where he directed and produced films with famous actors such as Cantinflas and Pedro Infante. He is considered one of the pioneers of Mexican cinema. In addition to his film work, Bohr was also a talented musician and composer, contributing original scores to many of his films. He returned to Germany in the 1960s and continued to work in the film industry there until his retirement in the 1980s.
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Herbert Weissbach
Herbert Weissbach (November 12, 1901 Bernburg-October 13, 1995 Berlin) also known as Herbert Weisbach, C. Weißbach, Herbert Weißbach or C. Weissenbach was a German actor, voice actor and cabaret artist.
He began his career in the 1920s as a stage actor and found success in the Berlin cabaret scene in the early 1930s. However, with the rise of the Nazi regime, Weissbach's career was restricted due to his Jewish heritage.
He emigrated to the United States in 1937 and took on several roles on Broadway before returning to Germany in 1949. After his return, he continued to work in theater and film, becoming a popular character actor. He also did voice acting work, lending his voice to German-dubbed versions of foreign films.
Weissbach remained active in the entertainment industry well into his later years and was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit in 1984 for his contributions to German culture.
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Andrews Engelmann
Andrews Engelmann (March 23, 1901 Saint Petersburg-February 25, 1992 Basel) a.k.a. A. Engelman, Andrewe Engelman, Andrews Engelman, Andrew Engelmann, Engelman, André von Engelman, Andre von Engelmann, Andre Engelmann, Andrei Engelman, Andrew Angelman or Andrews was a German actor.
He began his career in the early 1920s in German silent films and continued to act in German and Austrian productions throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Engelmann was known for his versatility as an actor and appeared in a wide range of roles, from comedic to dramatic.
After World War II, Engelmann moved to Switzerland where he continued to act in films and on stage. He also worked as a director and producer, and was a founding member of the Zurich Boulevard Theater. In addition to his acting career, Engelmann was also a successful writer, penning several plays and novels.
Engelmann's legacy continues to be celebrated today, with many of his films and stage productions still being performed and studied. His contributions to German and Austrian cinema are widely recognized, and he is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who made a significant impact on the industry.
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Albert Lippert
Albert Lippert (December 17, 1901 Oldenburg-February 21, 1978 Schlehdorf) was a German actor.
He began his acting career in 1920, and soon became a well-known character actor in German cinema. During the Nazi era, Lippert was able to continue his acting work, appearing in numerous films, although some of his Jewish colleagues were not so lucky. After World War II, Lippert managed to continue his career, and he appeared in a number of popular films in the 1950s and 1960s. One of his most famous roles was in the 1958 film "The Trapp Family" (German: "Die Trapp-Familie"), which was based on the true story of the von Trapp family who fled Austria during the Nazi era. Lippert played the role of the family's family friend and musical director, Franz Wasner.
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Hans Stüwe
Hans Stüwe (May 14, 1901 Haale, Germany-May 13, 1976 Berlin) was a German actor and singer.
Hans Stüwe began his career as an opera singer before transitioning into film acting in the mid-1920s. He became well known for his roles in films such as "Münchhausen" (1943) and "Jud Süss" (1940). Despite being a well-established actor during the Nazi era, he managed to avoid being blacklisted after World War II and continued to work in film and theater. He was married to the actress Claire Winter from 1942 until her death in 1967. Towards the end of his career, he also appeared on television shows. Stüwe retired from acting in 1973 and passed away three years later, just one day before his 75th birthday.
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Rudolf Reiff
Rudolf Reiff (November 9, 1901 Leipzig-April 1, 1961 Germany) also known as Rudolf Reif was a German actor.
He was best known for his work in German cinema during the 1930s and 1940s, where he appeared in numerous films including "Der Untertan" (1933) and "Die Feuerzangenbowle" (1944). Reiff was one of the few actors who managed to find work in German films after World War II, and he continued to work in the industry until his death in 1961. Despite his success in the film industry, little is known about Reiff's personal life except that he was married and had at least one child.
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Hans Kuhnert
Hans Kuhnert (January 4, 1901 Berlin-July 29, 1974 Berlin) also known as H.H. Kuhnert, Hanns H. Kuhnert, Hanns Kuhnert or Hans H. Kuhnert was a German production designer, actor and film art director.
He began his career in the film industry in the early 1920s as an art department assistant before transitioning to the position of production designer. Kuhnert worked on numerous German films throughout the 1920s and 30s, including Fritz Lang's "M" and "Metropolis".
After World War II, Kuhnert worked on a number of internationally acclaimed films, including the 1965 film "The Ipcress File" and the 1971 film "Murders in the Rue Morgue". Throughout his career, Kuhnert was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as "The Blue Angel" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari".
Kuhnert's contributions to the film industry were recognized with several awards, including the German Federal Film Prize and the Special Artistic Award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
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Fritz Diez
Fritz Diez (February 27, 1901 Meiningen-October 19, 1979 Weimar) a.k.a. Fritz Dietz, Fritz Diez - GDR or Friedrich Diez was a German actor, theatre director, television producer, voice actor and film director.
Diez began his career as a theatre actor and director, working at various theaters in Germany before taking up the position of the artistic director at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. He also acted in films, including "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1943) and "I Was Nineteen" (1968). Diez became a prominent figure in East German theatre and filmmaking, and was awarded the National Prize of East Germany in 1951 for his contribution to the cultural life of the country. In addition to his acting and directing work, he was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to many radio plays and animated films. Later in life, he turned his attention to television production, working on popular series such as "Tales from the Old Chestnut Tree" and "Capitol Pit". Diez is regarded as one of the most influential figures in German theatre and film history.
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Erich Fiedler
Erich Fiedler (March 15, 1901 Berlin-May 19, 1981 West Berlin) was a German actor.
He began his acting career in the theatre and made his film debut in 1931. Fiedler became a prominent actor during the Nazi era and appeared in several propaganda films. After World War II, he continued his acting career in West Germany, appearing in numerous films and television series. Fiedler was also a voice actor, lending his voice to dubbing foreign films into German. He received several awards for his contributions to German cinema, including the Order of Merit of Berlin and the Filmband in Gold. Despite his success, Fiedler faced criticism for his participation in Nazi propaganda films, and his legacy remains controversial.
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