Biography

The son of actor-parents, he first appeared on screen in a silent feature in 1923. His first theatrical engagement was in Berlin in 1928. After the war, he became active as a cabaret performer, stage comedian and actor/director in radio plays. He was subsequently in charge of MGM's dubbing studios and did voice overs for the likes of Cary Grant, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. In films, he was mostly cast in supporting roles, finally achieving stardom by the end of the 1960's on television as 'Der Komissar'.

He came very early into contact with the film through his parents and was among others assistant by cinematographer Otto Kanturek, beside it he has worked with the famous cinematographer Fritz Arno Wagner.

There were times that he smoked more than 80 cigarettes a day.

Son of actor Fritz Odemar.

Short, balding star character actor, famous as the laconic, imperturbable screen detective Herbert Keller in 97 episodes of Der Kommissar (1969).