Studied chemistry but was drawn to the stage, working with the theater of Max Reinhardt between 1909 and 1915. Made his film debut in the German film DER ANDERE (1913), a variation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. He had achieved great prominence on the German stage and screen before being forced to flee the Nazi regime to Switzerland in 1933. In 1939 he arrived in Hollywood and played in a succession of character roles, typically as a wise, well-educated elderly European gentleman. He died in an air crash over the Atlantic in 1952. His wife, Elsa, also appeared in some of his films.    Nominated for Supporting Actor 1940: FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT 1 nomination