Debonair German leading actor and singer who started as an apprentice in a furniture warehouse. On screen, he was initially popular playing urbane bon vivants and heartthrobs in 1930's musical comedies and operettas. He re-emerged as a noted character star in post-war dramas like Film Without a Name (1948) and latterly made a name for himself in family-oriented television series. In 1977, he was awarded the Filmband in Gold for lifetime achievement.