German actors who deceased in 1974
Here are 11 famous actors from Germany died in 1974:
Erich Kästner
Erich Kästner (February 23, 1899 Dresden-July 29, 1974 Munich) also known as Kästner, Erich, Berhold Bürger, Melchior Kurz, Berthold Bürger, Eric Kästner, Erich Kaestner, Eberhard Foerster, Emil Erich Kästner or Erich Kastner was a German writer, screenwriter, author, poet, satirist and actor. He had one child, Thomas Kästner.
Kästner is best known for his children's books, including "Emil and the Detectives" and "The Parent Trap." He also wrote poetry and novels for adults, often using satire to criticize social and political issues of his time. Kästner witnessed both World Wars and used his writing to speak out against fascism and the rise of Nazism in Germany. In 1933, his books were burned by the Nazis and he was banned from publishing any further works. Despite this setback, Kästner continued to write under pseudonyms and became involved in the resistance movement during World War II. After the war, he became an outspoken advocate for pacifism and democracy. Kästner's literary legacy lives on today, with his books still being read and studied around the world.
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Ernst Ziegler
Ernst Ziegler (April 16, 1894 Weilerbach-April 11, 1974 West Berlin) a.k.a. Ernest Aldoff or Ernst Aldoff was a German actor.
With a career spanning over four decades, Ernst Ziegler appeared in more than 150 films, making him one of the most prolific actors of his time. He began his acting career in the early 1920s, performing in a number of silent films before transitioning to talkies. Notable films he appeared in include "The Blue Angel" (1930), "M" (1931), and "Die Feuerzangenbowle" (1944). He also worked as a voice actor for German dubs of foreign films. Ziegler was a member of the Nazi party in the 1930s, which led to his temporary exclusion from the film industry after World War II. However, he later returned to acting and continued to work in films and television until his death in 1974.
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Peter Lee Lawrence
Peter Lee Lawrence (February 21, 1944 Lindau-April 20, 1974 Rome) a.k.a. Karl Hirenbach, Arthur Grant or Karl Hyrenbach was a German actor. He had one child, David Hyrenbach.
Peter Lee Lawrence was best known for his roles in Spaghetti Western films, particularly in the 1960s and '70s. He made his debut in the film industry in 1963 with the movie "L'uomo che brucia" (The Man Who Burns) and went on to star in a number of notable films such as "The Four Musketeers", "My Name is Shanghai Joe", and "They Call Me Trinity". Despite his brief career, he was immensely popular among the audience and critics alike for his charming personality and acting skills. Sadly, Peter Lee Lawrence passed away at the young age of 30 due to stomach cancer. Even after his death, his performances continue to be admired by fans of Western cinema.
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Erik Charell
Erik Charell (April 8, 1894 Wrocław-July 5, 1974 Zug) also known as Eric Charell or Erich Karl Lowenberg was a German theatre director, screenwriter, actor, ballet dancer, film director and film producer.
He began his entertainment career as a ballet dancer, performing throughout Europe before turning his attention to directing and producing. Charell is most known for his work in film, creating lavish musical productions that were extremely popular during the 1930s. He is best remembered for his film "The Merry Widow" (1934), a romantic comedy set in the fictional European country of Marshovia. The film was a box office hit in Europe and the United States and established him as one of the most successful film producers of the time. In addition to his success in film, he also directed numerous theatrical productions in Germany and collaborated on several operas. He eventually moved to Switzerland, where he retired from the entertainment industry and lived until his death in 1974.
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Gerhard Lamprecht
Gerhard Lamprecht (October 6, 1897 Berlin-May 4, 1974 Berlin) also known as Pilar was a German film director, screenwriter, film producer, actor, dramaturge and film historian.
He directed over 70 films between 1919 and 1958 and was a prominent figure in the German film industry during the Weimar Republic. Lamprecht is particularly known for his socially critical films that touched on issues of class and poverty. He was also a strong advocate for film preservation, and his own extensive film collection was instrumental in the preservation of many German silent films. In addition to his contributions to film, he was also a prolific writer, having written numerous books on the history of German cinema.
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Lothar Mendes
Lothar Mendes (May 19, 1894 Berlin-February 25, 1974 London) was a German film director, screenwriter, film producer and actor.
Mendes began his career in the German film industry in the 1920s, directing several successful silent films such as "The Blue Angel" starring Marlene Dietrich. He later moved to Hollywood in the 1930s where he directed several notable films including "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" and "The Four Feathers". Mendes also worked for the British film industry, directing films such as "The Heart of the Matter" and "The Angel with the Trumpet". During his career, Mendes worked with actors such as Ingrid Bergman, David Niven, and Ralph Richardson. In addition to his work in film, Mendes also wrote several books on film theory and history. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1948 for Best Director for his film "The Naked City".
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Carl Jaffe
Carl Jaffe (March 21, 1902 Hamburg-April 12, 1974 London) also known as Carl Jaffé or Frank Alwar was a German actor.
He began his career in the German film industry during the early 1920s, and went on to become one of the country's most popular and versatile character actors. Jaffe appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, working with some of the most acclaimed directors of the time. He left Germany in 1933 due to the rise of the Nazi party and found success in Hollywood, where he made his English-language debut in the film "The Razor's Edge" (1946). Jaffe's notable performances include his portrayal of Professor Wurz in "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920), Dr. Mabuse in "Mabuse the Gambler" (1922), and a Nazi general in "The Dirty Dozen" (1967). He retired from acting in 1970 and died four years later in London at the age of 72.
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Hans Hinrich
Hans Hinrich (November 27, 1903 Berlin-October 30, 1974 Berlin) also known as Giovanni Hinrich, John Hinrich or Giovanni Heinrich was a German actor and film director.
He began his acting career in the Berlin theater scene, appearing in various plays throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. Hinrich made his film debut in 1933 and quickly became a popular leading man in German cinema during the Nazi era. He appeared in over 50 films, including "Jugend" (Youth) and "Die Degenhardts" (The Degenhardts).
Following World War II, Hinrich's career was impacted by his association with the Nazi party. He was briefly imprisoned by the Allies in 1945 but ultimately released due to a lack of evidence of any wrongdoing. In the 1950s and 1960s, Hinrich turned to directing and worked on a number of successful German films including "Abenteuer im Schloss" (Adventure at the Castle) and "Kauf Dir einen bunten Luftballon" (Buy Yourself a Colorful Balloon).
Hinrich was married to stage actress Maria Andergast from 1934 until her death in 1961. He later married actress and singer Ingeborg Schöner in 1963. Hinrich died in 1974 in Berlin and is buried in the city's Zehlendorf Cemetery.
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Otto Kruger
Otto Kruger (September 6, 1885 Toledo-September 6, 1974 Woodland Hills) was a German actor. He had one child, Ottilie Kruger.
Kruger began his acting career in silent films in the 1910s and continued to act in films until the 1960s. He also worked in theater, both on and off Broadway, and appeared in numerous television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of his notable film roles include "High Sierra" (1941), "Saboteur" (1942), and "Rope" (1948). Kruger was known for his deep voice and his ability to play both villains and authority figures. In his later years, he became a respected acting teacher.
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Paul Mederow
Paul Mederow (June 30, 1887 Stralsund-December 17, 1974 Brissago) also known as Dr. Paul Mederow, Paul Friedrich Wolfgang Mederow or Paul Wolfgang Mederow was a German actor.
Throughout his career, Paul Mederow appeared in numerous films, stage productions, and television shows. He began his acting career in 1919 in the silent film "Stürmisch die Nacht" and went on to star in prominent films such as "Das alte Gesetz" (1923) and "Der Hund von Baskerville" (1937). Mederow also acted in several stage productions in the Berlin theater scene during the 1920s and 1930s.
When the Nazi party rose to power in Germany, Mederow fled to Switzerland where he continued to act in various productions. He also appeared in the Swiss television series "Der Kommissar" in the 1960s. In addition to his acting career, Mederow was also a talented pianist and composer, and he often incorporated music into his performances.
Mederow passed away in Brissago, Switzerland in 1974 at the age of 87. He is remembered for his contributions to German cinema and theater, and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and performers even today.
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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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