Erik Schumann(1925-2007)

Intense, dark-haired leading actor of post-war German cinema, who often specialised in playing introspective or psychologically damaged characters. Schumann had a musical upbringing, trained on piano and trombone, before taking acting classes at the Dresden Conservatory. He appeared regularly on stage in Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich from 1943. He was at the peak of his popularity, both in films and on television, during the 1950's and 60's. A prolific voice-over artist, Schumann also provided the German voice for stars like Peter O'Toole, Marcello Mastroianni, Christopher Lee, Roger Moore, Robert Culp and Jean Rochefort.