Eduard Franz was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Ten Commandments, The Magnificent Yankee, and Hatari!. Born Eduard Franz Schmidt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he began his career in theater before transitioning to film and television.
Personal and Family Life
Eduard Franz was born on October 31, 1902, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He initially intended to become a commercial artist but found his true passion in acting after joining a local theater group. He married and maintained a private life away from the spotlight.
Career
Franz’s acting career began in earnest when he moved to New York City in 1925, performing with a Greenwich Village theater troupe. He rejoined The Wisconsin Players in the early 1930s and later worked with the St. Louis Municipal Opera. His film career took off in Hollywood in the late 1940s, leading to appearances in notable films and television shows while remaining active in theater.
Death and Legacy
Eduard Franz passed away on February 10, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, after a long illness. He left behind a legacy of diverse roles in film, television, and theater, remembered for his stern visage and powerful performances across multiple genres.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Thing from Another World | 1951-04-05 | Dr. Stern |
| Hatari! | 1962-06-19 | Doctor Sanderson |
| The Ten Commandments | 1956-10-05 | Jethro |
| Hollow Triumph | 1948-08-18 | Frederick Muller |
| The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel | 1951-10-16 | Col. Klaus von Stauffenberg |
| The Iron Curtain | 1948-06-16 | Maj. Semyon Kulin |
| Wake of the Red Witch | 1948-12-30 | Harmenszoon Van Schreeven |
| Whirlpool | 1950-01-13 | Martin Avery |
| Broken Lance | 1954-09-25 | Two Moons |
| The Story of Ruth | 1960-06-17 | Jehoam |
| Johnny Got His Gun | 1971-08-04 | Col. / Gen. Tillery |
| The Unknown Man | 1951-11-09 | Andrew Jason ‘Andy’ Layford |
| Dream Wife | 1953-06-19 | Khan |
| The Indian Fighter | 1955-12-21 | Red Cloud |
| The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake | 1959-11-13 | Jonathan Drake |
| The Magnificent Yankee | 1950-12-20 | Louis Brandeis |
| Francis of Assisi | 1961-07-12 | Pietro Bernardone |
| The Burning Hills | 1956-09-01 | Jacob Lantz |
| The Great Caruso | 1951-04-16 | Giulio Gatti-Casazza |
| White Feather | 1955-02-16 | Chief Broken Hand |
| Lady Godiva of Coventry | 1955-11-02 | King Edward |
| Man Afraid | 1957-04-04 | Carl Simmons |
| The Last of the Fast Guns | 1958-07-01 | Padre Jose |
| Twilight Zone: The Movie | 1983-06-24 | Old Man |