Willy Fritsch was an American actor who is best known for Woman in the Moon, Inglourious Basterds, and Amphitryon. Born on January 27, 1901, in Kattowitz, Upper Silesia, Germany, he became a famous figure in film and musical comedies.
Personal and Family Life
Willy Fritsch, whose birth name was Wilhelm Egon Fritz Fritsch, was married to actress Dinah Grace from March 1937 until her death in May 1963. The couple had two children together. After Dinah’s passing, he chose to retire from acting. His family moved to Berlin in 1912 after his father’s bankruptcy, and he initially trained as a mechanic before discovering his passion for acting.
Career
Fritsch became a beloved matinée idol in the 1930s, known for his singing and dancing in operettas and musical films. He trained at the Max Reinhardt School in Berlin and began his film career in the early 1920s. Willy Fritsch gained fame for his roles alongside actress Lillian Harvey and was able to transition into character roles after World War II. Despite joining the NSDAP, he mostly avoided getting involved in Nazi propaganda during the Hitler era.
Death and Legacy
Willy Fritsch passed away on July 13, 1973, in Hamburg, Germany, due to a heart attack. He left behind a legacy of successful films and a reputation as a charming performer of his time. His work is remembered, especially for the musical quality he brought to his roles, impacting German cinema significantly.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Die Drei von der Tankstelle | 1930-09-15 | Willy |
| Ein toller Einfall | 1932-05-12 | Paul Lüders |
| Frau im Mond | 1929-10-14 | Wolf Helius |
| Die Carmen von St. Pauli | 1928-10-10 | Klaus Brandt |
| Amphitryon – Aus den Wolken kommt das Glück | 1935-07-18 | Jupiter / Amphitryon |
| Glückskinder | 1936-09-19 | Gil Taylor, Reporter |
| Inglourious Basterds | 2009-08-21 | Archive Footage |