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| birth_place = [[Vienna]], [[Austria-Hungary]]
| birth_place = [[Vienna]], [[Austria-Hungary]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1983|4|21|1902|5|3|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1983|4|21|1902|5|3|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Flower Hill, New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| death_place = [[Flower Hill, New York]], U.S.
| death_cause = Self-inflicted gunshot wound
| death_cause = Self-inflicted gunshot wound
| resting_place = [[Rottach-Egern]], Germany
| resting_place = [[Rottach-Egern]], Germany
Line 14: Line 14:
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| other_names = Walt Slezak
| other_names = Walt Slezak
| occupation = Actor, Singer
| occupation = Actor, singer
| years_active = 1922–1980
| years_active = 1922–1980
| spouse = Johanna Van Rijn<br/>(1943–1983; his death)
| spouse = Johanna Van Rijn<br/>(1943–1983; his death)
| children = Ingrid Slezak,<br/>[[Erika Slezak]],<br/>Leo Slezak, Jr.
| children = [[Erika Slezak|Erika]], Ingrid, Leo (Jr.)
| parents = [[Leo Slezak]],<br/>Elsa (née Wertheim)
| parents = [[Leo Slezak|Leo and Elsa (née Wertheim) Slezak]]
| awards = '''Tony Award''' (1955)
| awards = [[Tony Award]] (1955)
}}
}}


'''Walter Slezak''' ({{IPA-de|ˌvaltɐ ˈslɛzak}}) (3 May 1902 – 21 April 1983) was an [[Austria]]n-born character [[actor]] and singer who appeared in German films before migrating to the US in 1930 and featuring in numerous [[Hollywood, Los Angeles, California|Hollywood]] productions.<ref name="TCM Slezak">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/participant.jsp?spid=179128|title=Turner Classic Movies: Biography for Walter Slezak|publisher=TCM.com|accessdate=December 17, 2009}}</ref> Slezak often portrayed villains or thugs, most notably the German U-boat captain in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s film ''[[Lifeboat (film)|Lifeboat]]'' (1944), but occasionally he got to play lighter roles, as in ''[[The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'' (1962). He also played a cheerfully corrupt and philosophical private detective in the [[film noir]] ''[[Born to Kill (1947 film)|Born to Kill]]'' (1947) and appeared as Squire Trelawney in ''[[Treasure Island (1972 film)|Treasure Island]]'' (1972).
'''Walter Slezak''' ({{IPA-de|ˌvaltɐ ˈslɛzak}}) (3 May 1902 – 21 April 1983) was an [[Austria]]n-born character [[actor]] and singer who appeared in German films before migrating to the US in 1930 and featuring in numerous [[Hollywood, Los Angeles, California|Hollywood]] productions.<ref name="TCM Slezak">{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/participant.jsp?spid=179128|title=Turner Classic Movies: Biography for Walter Slezak|publisher=TCM.com|accessdate=17 December 2009}}</ref>


Slezak often portrayed villains or thugs, most notably the German U-boat captain in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s film ''[[Lifeboat (film)|Lifeboat]]'' (1944), but occasionally he got to play lighter roles, as in ''[[The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'' (1962). He also played a cheerfully corrupt and philosophical private detective in the [[film noir]] ''[[Born to Kill (1947 film)|Born to Kill]]'' (1947) and appeared as Squire Trelawney in ''[[Treasure Island (1972 film)|Treasure Island]]'' (1972).<ref name="imdb"/>
⚫
==Career==
⚫
Born in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]], the son of opera tenor [[Leo Slezak]] (a Moravian) and Elsa Wertheim, he studied medicine for a time and later worked as a bank teller.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He was talked into taking his first role, in the [[1922 in film|1922]] [[Cinema of Austria|Austrian film]] ''[[Sodom and Gomorrah (1922 film)|Sodom und Gomorrah]]'', by his friend and the film's director, [[Michael Curtiz]].<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> In his early movie career, before he gained a great deal of weight, Slezak was cast as a thin leading man in silent films. He also acted on the stage for many years, debuting on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in 1931.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/>


⚫
==Career==
In Vienna in the 1930s, Slezak was close friends with [[Gustav Klimt]] Heiress [[Maria Altmann]] and her family - the wealthy, influential Bloch-Bauers - and he and Altmann continued their friendship when both emigrated to America in the early 1940s.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Caregiver-Legendary-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B0092GS96K</ref>
⚫
Born in [[Vienna]], the son of opera tenor [[Leo Slezak]] and Elsa Wertheim, he studied medicine for a time and later worked as a bank teller.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He was talked into taking his first role, in the [[1922 in film|1922]] [[Cinema of Austria|Austrian film]] ''[[Sodom and Gomorrah (1922 film)|Sodom und Gomorrah]]'', by his friend and the film's director, [[Michael Curtiz]].<ref name="TCM Slezak"/>


In his early movie career, before he gained a great deal of weight, Slezak was cast as a thin leading man in silent films. He also acted on the stage for many years, debuting on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in 1931.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> In Vienna in the 1930s, Slezak was close friends with heiress [[Maria Altmann]] and her family.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Caregiver-Legendary-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B0092GS96K</ref>
⚫
His first American film was ''[[Once Upon a Honeymoon]]'' (1942), with [[Ginger Rogers]] and [[Cary Grant]].<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He worked steadily and appeared in over 100 films including ''[[The Princess and the Pirate]]'' (1944), ''[[The Spanish Main]]'' (1945), ''[[Sinbad the Sailor (1947 film)|Sinbad the Sailor]]'' (1947), ''[[Born to Kill (1947 film)|Born to Kill]]'' (1947), ''[[Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion]]'' (1950), ''[[People Will Talk]]'' (1951), and ''[[Call Me Madam]]'' (1953).


⚫
His first American film was ''[[Once Upon a Honeymoon]]'' (1942), with [[Ginger Rogers]] and [[Cary Grant]].<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He worked steadily and appeared in over 100 films including ''[[The Princess and the Pirate]]'' (1944), ''[[The Spanish Main]]'' (1945), ''[[Sinbad the Sailor (1947 film)|Sinbad the Sailor]]'' (1947), ''[[Born to Kill (1947 film)|Born to Kill]]'' (1947), ''[[Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion]]'' (1950), ''[[People Will Talk]]'' (1951), and ''[[Call Me Madam]]'' (1953).<ref name="imdb">{{IMDb name|805790}}</ref>
⚫
Slezak played the lead in [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musicals, including ''[[Fanny (musical)|Fanny]]'', for which he won the [[Tony Award]] for Best Actor in a Musical.<ref name="SOD Erika Slezak">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/soapstarstats/erikaslezakbio/|title=SOAP STAR STATS: Erika Slezak (Viki, ''OLTL'')|publisher=SoapOperaDigest.com|accessdate=December 16, 2009}}</ref>


⚫
Slezak played the lead in [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musicals, including ''[[Fanny (musical)|Fanny]]'', for which he won the [[Tony Award]] for Best Actor in a Musical.<ref name="SOD Erika Slezak">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/soapstarstats/erikaslezakbio|title=Erika Slezak profile|publisher=SoapOperaDigest.com|accessdate=December 16, 2009}}</ref>
In 1964, Slezak stared alongside [[Cliff Richard]] in the [[Sidney J. Furie]] musical ''[[Wonderful Life (1964 film)|Wonderful Life]]''.


Slezak acted in radio in such shows as ''[[Lux Radio Theater]]'', ''[[Columbia Workshop]]'', ''[[The Pepsodent Show]]'', and ''[[The Chase and Sanborn Hour|The Charlie McCarthy Show]]''. He made numerous television appearances, including in the programs ''[[This Is Show Business]]'', ''[[Playhouse 90]]'' and ''[[Studio One (TV series)|Studio One]]'', and appeared as [[The Clock King]] in episodes 45 and 46 of TV series ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' (1966).
Slezak acted in radio in such shows as ''[[Lux Radio Theater]]'', ''[[Columbia Workshop]]'', ''[[The Pepsodent Show]]'', and ''[[The Chase and Sanborn Hour|The Charlie McCarthy Show]]''. He made numerous television appearances, including in the programs ''[[This Is Show Business]]'', ''[[Playhouse 90]]'', and ''[[Studio One (TV series)|Studio One]]'', and appeared as [[The Clock King]] in episodes 45 and 46 of TV series ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' (1966).<ref name="imdb"/>


In the 1970s, Slezak played the non-singing role of Frosch, the jailer, in the [[San Francisco Opera]] production of [[Johann Strauss II|Johann Strauss]]' operetta ''[[Die Fledermaus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2006/09/22/die-fledermaus-in-s-f-september-16-2006/ |title="Die Fledermaus" in S. F. – September 16, 2006 |publisher=Operawarhorses.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-09}}</ref> Later popular film roles in Britain included the [[Cliff Richard]] vehicle ''[[Wonderful Life (1964 film)|Wonderful Life]]'' (1964) and ''[[Black Beauty (1971 film)|Black Beauty]]'' (1971).
In the 1970s, Slezak played the non-singing role of Frosch, the jailer, in the [[San Francisco Opera]] production of [[Johann Strauss II|Johann Strauss]]' operetta ''[[Die Fledermaus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2006/09/22/die-fledermaus-in-s-f-september-16-2006|title="Die Fledermaus" in S.F.|date=16 September 2006|publisher=Operawarhorses.com|accessdate=9 March 2012}}</ref> Later film roles in Britain included the [[Cliff Richard]] vehicle ''[[Wonderful Life (1964 film)|Wonderful Life]]'' (1964) and ''[[Black Beauty (1971 film)|Black Beauty]]'' (1971).<ref name="imdb"/>


==Autobiography ==
==Autobiography==
[[File:B60s-Clocking.jpg|left|thumb|Walter Slezak as the Clock King in the 1960s' ''Batman'' TV show]]
[[File:B60s-Clocking.jpg|left|thumb|Walter Slezak as the Clock King in the 1960s' ''Batman'' TV show]]
His autobiography, ''What Time's the Next Swan?'' was published in 1962. The book's title refers to an alleged incident in the career of his father, ''[[heldentenor]]'' [[Leo Slezak]]. During a performance in the title role of ''Lohengrin'', the elder Slezak was supposed to finish his aria by stepping into a swan boat and then being pulled offstage. When a stagehand removed the boat prematurely, Slezak supposedly reacted to the error by asking the audience "What Time's the Next Swan?".
His autobiography, ''What Time's the Next Swan?'' was published in 1962. The book's title refers to an alleged incident in the career of his father, ''[[heldentenor]]'' [[Leo Slezak]]. During a performance in the title role of ''Lohengrin'', the elder Slezak was supposed to finish his aria by stepping into a swan boat and then being pulled offstage. When a stagehand removed the boat prematurely, Slezak supposedly reacted to the error by asking the audience "What Time's the Next Swan?"{{cn}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Slezak married Johanna "Kaasi" Van Rijn on October 10, 1943. The couple had three children: Ingrid, [[Erika Slezak|Erika]], and Leo. Erika went on to become an [[Daytime Emmy Award|Emmy]]-winning actress, and starred as [[Victoria Lord]] on the long-running soap opera ''[[One Life to Live]]'' from 1971 to its cancellation in 2012. In 1974 Slezak appeared on the series as her character's godfather, Lazlo Braedecker.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/>
Slezak married Johanna "Kaasi" Van Rijn on October 10, 1943. The couple had three children: Ingrid, [[Erika Slezak|Erika]], and Leo. Erika went on to become an [[Daytime Emmy Award|Emmy]]-winning actress, and starred as [[Victoria Lord]] on the long-running soap opera ''[[One Life to Live]]'' from 1971 to its cancellation in 2012. In 1974, Slezak appeared on the series as her character's godfather, Lazlo Braedecker.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/>


===Death===
===Death===
On April 21, 1983, Slezak died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He was reportedly despondent over his advanced physical illness.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/23/obituaries/walter-slezak-actor-is-a-suicide-at-80-on-li.html</ref><ref>[http://www.cyranos.ch/smslez-e.htm Portrait of the actor Walter Slezak by Thomas Staedeli<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>{{clarify|date=March 2011}} As was his father, he is buried in the Bavarian village [[Rottach-Egern]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kino.de/star/walter-slezak/2697 |title=Star &#124; Walter Slezak |publisher=kino.de |date=1983-04-21 |accessdate=2012-03-09}}</ref>
On April 21, 1983, Slezak died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.<ref name="TCM Slezak"/> He was reportedly despondent over his advanced physical illness.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/23/obituaries/walter-slezak-actor-is-a-suicide-at-80-on-li.html</ref><ref>Thomas Staedeli, [http://www.cyranos.ch/smslez-e.htm Portrait of the actor Walter Slezak], cyranos.ch; accessed 6 November 2016.</ref>{{clarify|date=March 2011}} As was his father, he is buried in [[Rottach-Egern]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kino.de/star/walter-slezak/2697|title=Star &#124; Walter Slezak|publisher=kino.de|date=21 April 1983|accessdate=9 March 2012}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
In 1955, Slezak won a [[Tony Award]] for his role in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production of ''[[Fanny (musical)|Fanny]]''.
In 1955, Slezak won a [[Tony Award]] for his role in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production of ''[[Fanny (musical)|Fanny]]''.{{cn}}


==Partial filmography==
==Partial filmography==

Revision as of 03:25, 7 November 2016

Walter Slezak
Slezak as Mister Geppetto, 1957
Born(1902-05-03)3 May 1902
Vienna, Austria-Hungary
Died21 April 1983(1983-04-21) (aged 80)
Flower Hill, New York, U.S.
Cause of deathSelf-inflicted gunshot wound
Resting placeRottach-Egern, Germany
Other namesWalt Slezak
OccupationsActor, singer
Years active1922–1980
Spouse(s)Johanna Van Rijn
(1943–1983; his death)
ChildrenErika, Ingrid, Leo (Jr.)
ParentLeo and Elsa (née Wertheim) Slezak
AwardsTony Award (1955)

Walter Slezak (Template:IPA-de) (3 May 1902 – 21 April 1983) was an Austrian-born character actor and singer who appeared in German films before migrating to the US in 1930 and featuring in numerous Hollywood productions.[1]

Slezak often portrayed villains or thugs, most notably the German U-boat captain in Alfred Hitchcock's film Lifeboat (1944), but occasionally he got to play lighter roles, as in The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962). He also played a cheerfully corrupt and philosophical private detective in the film noir Born to Kill (1947) and appeared as Squire Trelawney in Treasure Island (1972).[2]

Career

Born in Vienna, the son of opera tenor Leo Slezak and Elsa Wertheim, he studied medicine for a time and later worked as a bank teller.[1] He was talked into taking his first role, in the 1922 Austrian film Sodom und Gomorrah, by his friend and the film's director, Michael Curtiz.[1]

In his early movie career, before he gained a great deal of weight, Slezak was cast as a thin leading man in silent films. He also acted on the stage for many years, debuting on Broadway in 1931.[1] In Vienna in the 1930s, Slezak was close friends with heiress Maria Altmann and her family.[3]

His first American film was Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942), with Ginger Rogers and Cary Grant.[1] He worked steadily and appeared in over 100 films including The Princess and the Pirate (1944), The Spanish Main (1945), Sinbad the Sailor (1947), Born to Kill (1947), Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950), People Will Talk (1951), and Call Me Madam (1953).[2]

Slezak played the lead in Broadway musicals, including Fanny, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.[4]

Slezak acted in radio in such shows as Lux Radio Theater, Columbia Workshop, The Pepsodent Show, and The Charlie McCarthy Show. He made numerous television appearances, including in the programs This Is Show Business, Playhouse 90, and Studio One, and appeared as The Clock King in episodes 45 and 46 of TV series Batman (1966).[2]

In the 1970s, Slezak played the non-singing role of Frosch, the jailer, in the San Francisco Opera production of Johann Strauss' operetta Die Fledermaus.[5] Later film roles in Britain included the Cliff Richard vehicle Wonderful Life (1964) and Black Beauty (1971).[2]

Autobiography

Walter Slezak as the Clock King in the 1960s' Batman TV show

His autobiography, What Time's the Next Swan? was published in 1962. The book's title refers to an alleged incident in the career of his father, heldentenor Leo Slezak. During a performance in the title role of Lohengrin, the elder Slezak was supposed to finish his aria by stepping into a swan boat and then being pulled offstage. When a stagehand removed the boat prematurely, Slezak supposedly reacted to the error by asking the audience "What Time's the Next Swan?"[citation needed]

Personal life

Slezak married Johanna "Kaasi" Van Rijn on October 10, 1943. The couple had three children: Ingrid, Erika, and Leo. Erika went on to become an Emmy-winning actress, and starred as Victoria Lord on the long-running soap opera One Life to Live from 1971 to its cancellation in 2012. In 1974, Slezak appeared on the series as her character's godfather, Lazlo Braedecker.[1]

Death

On April 21, 1983, Slezak died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[1] He was reportedly despondent over his advanced physical illness.[6][7][clarification needed] As was his father, he is buried in Rottach-Egern.[8]

Awards

In 1955, Slezak won a Tony Award for his role in the Broadway production of Fanny.[citation needed]

Partial filmography

Slezak in The Fallen Sparrow trailer, 1943

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Turner Classic Movies: Biography for Walter Slezak". TCM.com. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Walter Slezak at IMDb
  3. ^ http://www.amazon.com/The-Accidental-Caregiver-Legendary-Holocaust-ebook/dp/B0092GS96K
  4. ^ "Erika Slezak profile". SoapOperaDigest.com. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  5. ^ ""Die Fledermaus" in S.F." Operawarhorses.com. 16 September 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  6. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/23/obituaries/walter-slezak-actor-is-a-suicide-at-80-on-li.html
  7. ^ Thomas Staedeli, Portrait of the actor Walter Slezak, cyranos.ch; accessed 6 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Star | Walter Slezak". kino.de. 21 April 1983. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  9. ^ Overview for Swingers' Paradise (1965)", Turner Classic Movies page
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special%3ADiff%2F748231210