Became an actor against the wishes of his attorney father who had him slated for an officer's career. Began on stage in 1905 in youthful romantic leads, often under the direction of Max Reinhardt or Erwin Piscator. A pioneer of early radio broadcasts in Berlin during the 1920's, later active in voice-over work. Prolific stage and screen actor, his roles ranging from high ranking military brass to nobility, senior physicians, judges and barristers. From 1945, acclaimed as one of the leading theatre directors in Berlin ("Theater am Kurfürstendamm", "Hebbel-Theater", "Renaissance-Theater", "Schlosspark Theater", "Freien Volksbühne").
