Trivia

Balding German character actor and director of the 1920's and 30's, invariably seen as personae of gravitas: generals, aristocrats, judges, presidents and industrialists. He appeared on stage from 1895 after initial training in retail. Appointed 'state actor' (Staatsschauspieler) by Goebbels in 1937. Discovered to be of Jewish ancestry in 1943 and, with his wife, committed suicide to avoid deportation.

Beside acting he worked as a director.

In all the years he managed to conceal his Jewish origin. He even took on the direction of the "Fachschaft Bühne" of the Reichstheaterkammer. But only one year later the cover of Paul Otto, his real name was Schlesinger, blew up.

The actor Paul Otto started his career as stage actor. But already in 1910 first film entrances are ascertainable.

Paul Otto didn't see a way out of his situation and decided to do a suicide at his home in Berlin together with his wife Charlott Klinder-Otto instead of a deportation.

In 1937 he was awarded a Staatsschauspieler - title and in 1942 Joseph Goebbels promoted him to the head of the stage-council at the Reichskulturkammer.

He became a popular actor because of his impressive play.

In the sound film era he was able to continue his career undiminished and took part in film classics like "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" (1931), "Yorck" (1931) and "Stern von Rio" (1940).

He became a very busy actor for the next three decades. Altogether he played in 96 silent and 57 sound movies.

He began a qualification as a retail merchant and made his actor's debut in the age of 17.

Otto worked at Theaters in Halle, Wiesbaden and Hanover before he returned to Berlin about 1906.