Wikipedia

Otto Waldis

Otto Waldis (born Otto Glucksmann-Blum, May 20, 1901 – March 25, 1974) was an Austrian-American character actor in films and television from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was also billed as Otto Blum.[1]

Otto Waldis
Waldis, Lassie, and Tommy Rettig in 1956
Born(1901-05-20)May 20, 1901
Vienna, Austria-Hungary
DiedMarch 25, 1974(1974-03-25) (aged 72)
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesOtto Blum
Otto Wernicke
OccupationActor
SpouseMargaret Vieth (1935 – ?)

Years in Germany

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Waldis was born Otto Glucksmann-Blum in 1901 in Vienna.[2][3] He was a student during World War I and initially studied to be a naval engineer. When Germany had no navy after the war, he shifted his attention to acting in the 1920s. Rudolph Schildkraut saw him perform and encouraged him to pursue a theatrical career. Billed as Otto Valdis, he performed Shakespeare and classic German plays. He also directed plays.[citation needed]

Waldis began made his film debut in a small role in director Fritz Lang's classic thriller M (1931) starring Peter Lorre. After he began acting regularly in films, he had the lead in The Broken Pitcher, which received first prize in an international competition in 1934.

Emigration and work in Hollywood

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From Unknown World (1951), L-R: Otto Waldis, Bruce Kellogg, Marilyn Nash and Victor Kilian.

The Jewish actor fled from Europe because of the persecution from the Nazi Regime.[4] He and his wife left Austria and arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, in June 1940.[5] He worked as a photographer in Birmingham.[1]

Waldis became a familiar character actor often appearing in B movies and his roles were sometimes uncredited. He also appeared regularly on television during the 1950s and '60s. Waldis also occasionally acted on stage.

Personal life and death

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Waldis married Margaret Vieth, an opera singer, in 1935.[5] He died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 72.[citation needed]

Selected filmography

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Waldis also made several guest appearances on television including roles in My Little Margie, The Adventures of Superman, General Electric Theater, Lassie, Maverick, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Peter Gunn, Playhouse 90, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Untouchables, 77 Sunset Strip, Wagon Train, Lawman, Ben Casey, Hogan's Heroes, Mannix and Gomer Pyle, USMC.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b Caldwell, Lily May (March 1, 1948). "Melba Booking Spring Films In Lighter Vein". The Birmingham News. Alabama, Birmingham. p. 17. Retrieved May 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ [1] Born in Vienna in 1901...
  3. ^ [2] Born Otto Brunn in Vienna, Austria
  4. ^ Otto Waldis at Birmingham Holocaust Education Centre
  5. ^ a b Kelly, Betty (April 13, 1941). "About Birmingham". The Birmingham News. Alabama, Birmingham. p. 26. Retrieved May 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Eder, Bruce. "Otto Waldis". AllMovie. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
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