Walter Rilla (22 August 1894 – 21 November 1980) was a German film actor of
Jewish descent.[1] He appeared in more than 130 films between 1922 and 1977. He was born in
Neunkirchen, Germany and died in
Rosenheim, Germany.
Career
Rilla began his acting career on the German stage, then debuted in film during the
silent era. This included an early role for him in
Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau's The Grand Duke's Finances in 1924. Following the rise of the
Nazi Party to power in 1933, he emigrated to Britain and became a regular performer in British films often in
villainous or
aristocratic roles. Both during and after the
Second World War he played Nazi officers or agents.
From the 1950s onwards he returned to
West Germany to appear in films and on television, alternating this with continued roles in British cinema. He was the father of film director
Wolf Rilla, who directed him in the 1963 film Cairo.
Walter Rilla (22 August 1894 – 21 November 1980) was a German film actor of
Jewish descent.[1] He appeared in more than 130 films between 1922 and 1977. He was born in
Neunkirchen, Germany and died in
Rosenheim, Germany.
Career
Rilla began his acting career on the German stage, then debuted in film during the
silent era. This included an early role for him in
Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau's The Grand Duke's Finances in 1924. Following the rise of the
Nazi Party to power in 1933, he emigrated to Britain and became a regular performer in British films often in
villainous or
aristocratic roles. Both during and after the
Second World War he played Nazi officers or agents.
From the 1950s onwards he returned to
West Germany to appear in films and on television, alternating this with continued roles in British cinema. He was the father of film director
Wolf Rilla, who directed him in the 1963 film Cairo.