Erwin Geschonneck
Erwin Geschonneck was a German actor. His biggest success occurred in the German Democratic Republic, where he was considered one of the most famous actors of the time.
Early life
Geschonneck was born in Bartenstein, East Prussia, the son of a poor shoemaker. The family moved to Berlin in 1909 so his father could work as a nightwatchman. In 1919, the younger Geschonneck joined the Communist Party of Germany. After the Nazi takeover in 1933, he emigrated to the Soviet Union via Poland, but was expelled in 1938 and moved to Prague. After the German occupation of Bohemia and Moravia, he was arrested on 31 March 1939. During World War II, he was imprisoned in several Nazi concentration camps. In 1945, Geschonneck was one of the few prisoners who survived the RAF sinking of the Cap Arcona.
Career
Immediately following the war, Geschonneck acted in theaters in Hamburg, Germany, and made his film debut in 1947 in In jenen Tagen. He subsequently moved to East Germany, worked with Bertolt Brecht, and became a successful actor. He was a member of the jury at the 6th and 7th Moscow International Film Festivals.
Geschonneck was featured in the German film Jacob the Liar by Frank Beyer, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1977 Academy Awards – the only nomination for the GDR. In December 2006, he turned 100.
His last film, made in 1995 for the German television network ARD, was , where he played alongside veteran actor Fred Delmare. Geschonneck's son Matti Geschonneck directed.
Death
Geschonneck died in Berlin on 12 March 2008, aged 101.
Filmography
Kuhle Wampe – Arbeitersportler In Those Days – Schmitt / 6. GeschichteFinale – WilkeThe Last Night – Oskar, FahrerLove '47 – KriminalbeamterThe Beaver Coat – MotesHarbour Melody – EmilDas Kalte Herz – Holländer-MichelDas Beil von Wandsbek – Albert TeetjenSchatten über den Inseln – Dr. Sten HornDie Unbesiegbaren – Wilhelm LiebknechtAlarm im Zirkus – KlottDas Stacheltier: Das Haushaltswunder – Abteilungsleiter VogelDas Stacheltier: Es geht um die Wurst – Leo Weiß, FriseurMutter Courage und ihre Kinder – FeldpredigerLes Aventures de Till L'Espiègle – Bras d'AcierDer Hauptmann von Köln – Hans KarjankeSchlösser und Katen – BrökerKatzgraben – Großmann, ein GroßbauerDer Lotterieschwede – Johan JönssonGeschichte vom armen Hassan – MachmudSAS 181 antwortet nicht Musterknaben – Arthur WedelLeute mit Flügeln – BartuscheckFive Cartridges – Kommissar WittigAch, du fröhliche – Walter LörkeWind von vorn – SchorschNaked Among Wolves – Walter KraemerCarbide and Sorrel – KalleTiefe Furchen – Roter SchusterBerlin um die Ecke – Paul KrautmannGeschichten jener Nacht – Willi Lenz Die Fahne von Kriwoj Rog – Otto Brosowski Sr.Ein Lord am Alexanderplatz – Ewald HonigWir kaufen eine Feuerwehr – Herr ClasenSonnensucher – Jupp KönigTüzolto Utca 25 – Szentiványi Der Untergang der Emma – Fährmann KlugeJacob the Liar – KowalskiLooping – Bienes VaterBankett für Achilles – Meister AchillesDas Licht auf dem Galgen – BeringTambari – Luden DassowAnton, der Zauberer – Vater GrubskeDas Ding im Schloß – Prof. BunzbergerCircus maximus – SzakállasLevins Mühle – JohannAsta, mein Engelchen – Otto Gratzick / Hermann GschwinderDer Mann von der Cap Arcona – Erwin GregorekWie die Alten sungen... – Walter LörkeMensch, mein Papa...! – Erich Zarling
Television
Die Gewehre der Frau Carrar – PedroGewissen in Aufruhr – Oberst Joachim EbershagenDer Andere neben dir – Prof. MarschnerAsphalt-Story – Robby AssmannDie Ermittlung – Oratorium in 11 Gesängen – Zeuge 9Rendezvous mit Unbekannt Jeder stirbt für sich allein – Otto QuangelDas Geheimnis der Anden – Don Pineto / Prof. BinderIm Schlaraffenland – James Luis TürkheimerEin altes Modell – Bruno NakonzEin Wigwam für die Störche – Opa FritzDie Insel der Silberreiher – Oberst von BülowDes kleinen Lokführers große Fahrt – GroßvaterPlantagenstraße 19 – Richard MatuschkeVerlobung in Hullerbusch – Ernst / Walter WagemühlHerbstzeit – Paul WositschkaMeschkas Enkel – MeschkaBenno macht Geschichten – Oskar SchraderDas Graupenschloß – Waldemar – Matulla