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1-50 of 91
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Anton Diffring was a character actor who worked continuously in motion pictures due to his aristocratic face and cool, clipped diction, making him ideal for typecasting in British and later American motion pictures as Nazis and other vile, despicable characters. What was ironic about his typecasting as a Nazi is that Diffring, born in Koblenz, Germany, on October 20, 1916, fled Nazi Germany in 1939.
He was the son of Bertha (Diffring) and Solomon/Samuel Pollack, a Jewish shop owner. He was born into a family that boasted generations of actors, and studied drama in Berlin and Vienna. At the outbreak of World War II, he fled Germany and wound up in Canada, where he was interned as an enemy alien for the duration of the war. It was in Canada where he began his acting career after World War II, working primarily there and in the US before moving to Britain in 1950.
He became popular playing Nazis in the postwar period, as the British film industry turned out film after film about the war, which created a great demand for actors who could convincingly play Nazis, the nastier the better. Diffring could play nasty, and his career as a character actor soared. He was still going at it in the 1960s, when he began appearing in American and international co-productions as German soldiers from both WW I and WW II, including The Blue Max (1966), Counterpoint (1967) and that Turner Network Television staple, Where Eagles Dare (1968). He was still going at it in the 1970s and 1980s, as he continued a nearly 40-year-long acting career that was terminated only by his death.
He was a much better actor than most of his roles required. Diffring broadened his range as an actor with stage and television work, but the movies continually beckoned, as casting agents were hooked on him when it came to Nazi roles. It was that face that did it; it was both his blessing and his curse. He had the light hair, the piercing blue eyes and the chiseled face of the haughty aristocrat, the German Junker, but it was a face that could telegraph much in the few seconds that was the average shot of a motion picture. As a character actor, he got much done with less (time).
In François Truffaut's Fahrenheit 451 (1966) he was cast in all likelihood as a counterpart to the Austrian actor Oskar Werner, so that Werner's own Teutonicness in the English setting wouldn't be as arch. He excelled as Werner's nemesis, as he could create a mood or signal an entire story line with just a look; dialog didn't matter (he likely would have been a superstar in silent films, when it was "the faces" that mattered).
Diffring tried to break out of those silken villain roles, moving to Rome in 1968, but producers turned to him again and again to fill their needs for a foreign heavy. He appeared as one of the most infamous Nazis of all, Adolf Hitler's hangman Reinhard Heydrich, in Operation Daybreak (1975), and as Hitler's foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop in the American mini-series The Winds of War (1983). It made him a good living and it made him known, even if it did not fulfill his artistic ambitions.
What made his career such a success in terms of its longevity and fecundity was that Diffring was an actor who was enjoyable to watch. From Jack Clayton's I Am a Camera (1955) to Terence Fisher's The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959), from Samuel Fuller's Tote Taube in der Beethovenstraße (1972) to Ken Russell's Valentino (1977), Diffring gave memorable performances, sandwiched in with all the Nazi heavies one career could possibly bear.
Anton Diffring died at his home in Chateauneuf-de-Grasse, France, on May 20, 1989. He was 72 years old.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Michel Auclair was born on 14 September 1922 in Koblenz, Germany. He was an actor, known for Beauty and the Beast (1946), The Day of the Jackal (1973) and Funny Face (1957). He was married to Frédérique Homo. He died on 7 January 1988 in Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, Var, France.- Tristan Seith was born on 3 December 1979 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor, known for Im Knast (2015), Crooks Ltd. (2015) and Helen Dorn (2014). He is married to Nesrin Samdereli.
- Mark Bellinghaus was born on 20 July 1963 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor, known for The Name of the Rose (1986), Forsthaus Falkenau (1989) and A Case for Two (1981).
- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Rosemarie Fendel was born on 25 April 1927 in Koblenz-Metternich, Germany. She was an actress and writer, known for Trotta (1971), Im Reservat (1973) and Tätowierung (1967). She was married to Hans von Borsody and Johannes Schaaf. She died on 13 March 2013 in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany.- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Jürgen Rißmann was born on 14 October 1963 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor and composer, known for Der Knastarzt (2014), Buddenbrooks (2008) and Stromberg (2004).- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Fabian Stumm was born in 1981 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor and writer, known for Bones and Names (2023), Daniel (2022) and Lore (2012).- Music Department
- Composer
- Writer
Gus Kahn was born on 6 November 1886 in Koblenz, Germany. He was a composer and writer, known for Paycheck (2003), Repo Men (2010) and Con Air (1997). He was married to Grace Kahn. He died on 8 October 1941 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.- Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was born on 2 February 1926 in Koblenz, Germany. He was married to Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing. He died on 2 December 2020 in Authon, Loir-et-Cher, France.
- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Tobi Baumann was born on 22 May 1974 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is a director and producer, known for Der Wixxer (2004), Ghosthunters: On Icy Trails (2015) and Faking Hitler (2021).- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Fabian Siegismund was born on 14 October 1975 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor and writer, known for GameStar: Die Redaktion (2004), In bester Verfassung (2019) and Deborah (2018).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Hermann Giefer was born on 1 March 1947 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor, known for Forsthaus Falkenau (1989), Zum Stanglwirt (1993) and Der Bergdoktor (1992).- Rolf Stiefel was born on 1 May 1920 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor, known for Battle of Britain (1969), Das Leben ist die größte Schau - Seltsame Geschichten und komische Begebenheiten (1964) and Hamburger Extrablätter (1961).
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Florian Schwarz was born on 28 February 1974 in Koblenz, Germany. He is a director and writer, known for Tatort (1970), Let the Cat Out of the Bag (2005) and The White Rabbit (2016).- Actor
- Composer
- Writer
André Dietz was born on 6 July 1975 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor and composer, known for Zum Schwarzwälder Hirsch (2022), Alles was zählt (2006) and A Dangerous Method (2011). He has been married to Shari Dietz since 2 July 2011. They have four children.- Andrea Quirbach was born in 1960 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. She is an actress, known for Tatort (1970), Anna Maria - Eine Frau geht ihren Weg (1994) and Der Staatsanwalt (2005).
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Ralf Günther was born on 23 June 1962 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany. He is a producer and actor, known for Ladykracher (2002), Pastewka (2005) and Die Wochenshow (1996).- Actress
- Producer
Alice Hoffmann was born on 16 September 1951 in Koblenz, Germany. She is an actress and producer, known for Familie Heinz Becker (1992), Unter Tannen (2016) and Tatort (1970).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Beate Klöckner was born in 1950 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. She is a director and writer, known for Kopfschuß (1981), Mein lieber Schatz (1985) and Rudolfo (1990).- Nora Balling was born on 31 July 1964 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Johannes Huth was born on 8 February 1989 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor and director, known for CSI:Kowelenz - Zwei Leichen ist eine zu viel (2011), Der Bengel (2017) and Violine (2012).- Composer
- Music Department
- Editor
Andreas Grimm was born in 1962 in Koblenz, Germany. He is a composer and editor, known for Der Wixxer (2004), Ladykracher (2002) and Kaiser! König! Karl! (2014).- Milos Vukovic was born on 20 July 1981 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor, known for Unter uns (1994), Trauma (2006) and MEK 8 (2011).
- Elisabeth Lennartz was born on 13 November 1902 in Koblenz, Germany. She was an actress, known for Ich bei Tag und du bei Nacht (1932), Ihr erstes Erlebnis (1939) and Hell on Earth (1931). She was married to Gustav Knuth and Gustav Hartung. She died on 14 May 2001 in Küsnacht, Germany.
- Actor
- Editor
- Production Manager
Rainer Schmitt was born in 1948 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor and editor, known for Der blinde Richter (1984), Ein Tag mit dem Wind (1979) and Pogo 1104 (1984).- Céline Bethmann was born on 4 July 1998 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Director
- Writer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Dietmar Klein was born on 11 July 1956 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is a director and writer, known for Der Erdnußmann (1992), Solinger Rudi (1991) and Teotihuacan (1996).- Tom Viehöfer was born on 28 February 1974 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor, known for Verbotene Liebe (1995), Tatort (1970) and Vollidiot (2007).
- Bodo Illgner was born on 7 April 1967 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Lucas Luhr was born on 22 July 1979 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Claudia Kleinert was born on 31 December 1969 in Koblenz, Germany. She is an actress, known for Sophie (2015), Landesschau (1957) and Hallo Niedersachsen (1985).
- Casimir Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn was born on 4 May 1976 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany.
- Markus Kirschbaum was born in 1969 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor, known for The Final Sacrifice: Directors Cut (2022), Last Letters from Monte Rosa (2010) and Pola X (1999).
- Director
- Writer
Wolfgang Kissel was born in 1963 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is a director and writer, known for Strictly Propaganda (1992).- Till Raether was born on 15 February 1969 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is a writer, known for Danowski - Blutapfel (2019), DAS! (1991) and Nachtcafé (1987).
- Jürgen von Manger was born on 6 March 1923 in Koblenz, Germany. He was an actor and writer, known for Mensch bleiben, sagt Tegtmeier (1970), Tegtmeiers Reisen (1972) and Tegtmeier klärt auf (1981). He was married to Ruth Stanszus. He died on 15 March 1994 in Herne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- Bartel F. Sinhuber was born on 20 April 1938 in Koblenz, Germany. Bartel F. was a writer, known for Drei sind einer zuviel (1977). Bartel F. died on 24 July 2001.
- Ute Künster was born on 3 May 1970 in Koblenz, Germany. Ute is a producer, known for Ladykracher (2002), SketchNews (2008) and Die Wochenshow (1996).
- Toni van Eyck was born on 23 October 1910 in Koblenz, Germany. She was an actress, known for Frühlingserwachen (1929), A Woman Branded (1931) and Geschminkte Jugend (1929). She died on 16 April 1988 in Feldkirch, Austria.
- Florian Siekmann was born on 1 February 1995 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Philipp Lepenies was born in 1971 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Alexa is a German-born American actress and resides in Brooklyn, NY. She holds an Associate Diploma in Ballet Padagogy from London,UK. After touring Europe with a British Dance Company, Alexa studied the Performing Arts in NYC where most of her work is these days. Occasionally her work still takes her back to Europe.
- David Nelles was born in 1996 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Karl-Heinz Göttert was born on 25 February 1943 in Koblenz, Germany.
- Director
- Writer
- Editorial Department
Jürgen Heimbach was born in 1961 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Jürgen is a director and writer, known for Foyer - Das Theatermagazin (2001), Brasch - Das Wünschen und das Fürchten (2011) and Radikal Büchner (2013).- Clark Darlton was born on 13 June 1920 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He was a writer, known for NDR Talk Show (1979). He died on 15 January 2005 in Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Pascal Hubig was born on 11 December 1987 in Koblenz, Germany. He is an actor, known for Mein ganz gewöhnliches Leben (2005).
- Martin Stadtfeld was born on 19 October 1980 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- Ule J.R. Eyth was born on 7 May 1916 in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Ule J.R. is a director, known for 'F' (Freiheit) (1950), Europa - Richtung 2000 - Anatomie eines Kontinents in 6 Kapiteln (1962) and Einst + jetzt = Übermorgen (1969).
- Additional Crew
Rudi Gutendorf was born on 30 August 1926 in Koblenz, Germany. He is known for Dem Täter auf der Spur (1967), Rudi Rastlos - Der Ball rollt für Ruanda (2002) and Dalli Dalli (1971). He was married to Marika Gutendorf and Ute Pelzer. He died on 13 September 2019 in Germany.