Versatile star character actor, noted for his portrayal of Danton on stage and screen. Son of a jeweller. Studied acting at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna, making his theatrical debut in 1910. Came to fame after 1919 with Max Reinhardt's Deutsches Theater in Berlin, appearing in classical parts such as Shylock and Othello. In film from 1915. After a falling out with Reinhardt, joined Leopold Jessner's Berliner Staatstheater. Forced to leave Germany in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution of Jews. Acted in several films in England, then active in Hollywood from 1938 to 1947 in character roles. Subsequently returned to Germany, primarily acting and directing for the stage.
