Gérard Tichy
Gerhard Johannes Alexander Tichy Wondzinski, known as Gérard Tichy, was a German-Spanish actor who appeared in numerous films, including several international productions.
Early life
Tichy was born Gerhard Johannes Alexander Tichy Wondzinski in Weißenfels, Saxony-Anhalt, the son of a doctor. After a short period as an artist, he was conscripted into the Reich Labour Service during World War II, but was later transferred into the Wehrmacht as an infantry soldier. He served in the Polish and French campaigns, but was captured by Allied forces in 1945.
He was held in a prisoner-of-war camp in Bordeaux for 18 months. Not wanting to be repatriated back to Germany, he made an escape attempt on Christmas Eve, but was quickly re-captured taken to another camp. He escaped, this time successfully, while in transit and fled to Hendaye, near the Spanish border. He attempted to enter neutral Spain by wading through the Bidasoa, and was caught by Spanish authorities. He was released from custody after being vouched for by other German expats, and settled in Madrid.
Career
While working as a waiter in 1948, Tichy was spotted by director César Fernández Ardavín, who was looking for someone to play a German officer in the war film Neutrality. He subsequently starred in the war epic Balarrasa and quickly became a prominent character actor in Spanish cinema, ultimately appearing in 99 films over the course of his career. He won the CEC Award for Best Foreign Actor for his role in the 1955 film El canto del gallo.
A capable if not fluent English speaker, Tichy also appeared in several international productions that were filmed in Spain, most notably King of Kings as Joseph, El Cid playing King Ramiro, and Doctor Zhivago as Liberius, a Red partisan commander.
He appeared in numerous spaghetti Westerns, most notably Sergio Corbucci's Compañeros. He also worked with noted Spanish horror film directors such as Jesus Franco, Paul Naschy, Amando de Ossorio and Juan Piquer Simón and famed Italian director Mario Bava.
Tichy also periodically returned to his native Germany, performing at the Hamburg Kammerspiele and acting in the Zarah Leander film Cuba Cabana.
Death
Tichy died in Madrid on April 11, 1992.
Selected filmography
Neutrality - Deutscher OffizierBlack Jack Service at Sea - Pasajero Servicio en la mar - Pasajero Cerca del cielo - Camarada defensor The Floor Burns - Eduardo BehoviaCome Die My Love - BillThe Call of Africa - Capitán AndradeHombre acosado - Jan MatizBarco sin rumbo Cuba Cabana - Polizei-OberstDecameron Nights I Was a Parish Priest - El NegroPasaporte para un ángel Judas' Kiss - Pontius PilateAn Impossible Crime - Eugenio CertalHe Died Fifteen Years Ago - Germán GoeritzMalaga - CronkhiteKubala Lo que nunca muere - PierreThe Cock Crow - GansNunca es demasiado tarde - JorgeAlexander the Great - Miedo Curra Veleta - Alfredo BrightonMinutos antes Cuando el valle se cubra de nieve ...Y eligió el infierno Aquellos tiempos del cuplé - JorgeCuatro en la frontera - JulioHospital general El frente infinito - Capitán EstradaMolokai, la isla maldita - CapitánUn ángel tuvo la culpa - Sr. XAlerta en el cielo - Sargento BellKing of Kings - JosephEl Cid - King Ramiro Pecado de amor - Gerardo EsquivelThe Happy Thieves - Antonio, Prado Museum GuardQueen of The Chantecler - Henri DuchelFace of Terror - Dr. ChambersLos culpables - SalvadorSenda torcida - SilvestreThe Blancheville Monster - Rodéric De BlanchevilleCasablanca, Nest of Spies - MayorThe Secret Seven - RabirioLa muerte silba un blues - Carlos MoroniLa Chance et l'Amour - Un truand Gunmen of the Rio Grande - Zack WilliamsUn tiro por la espalda El niño y el muro - Guardia alemán #2The Hell of Manitoba - Jack VillaineThat Man in Istanbul - Charly CohenMarie-Chantal contre le docteur Kha - Maitre d'HôtelMan from Canyon City - HargitayPlaya de Formentor - Carlos SanromáOperation Double Cross - Matras100.000 dollari per Ringo - Tom SherryDoctor Zhivago - Liberius, Red Partisan CommanderAgent X-77 Orders to Kill - Dr. Reichmann4 Dollars of Revenge - CliffordThe Sea Pirate - KernanLe Solitaire passe à l'attaque - BernsenThe Texican - Boyd ThompsonIl grande colpo di Surcouf - KernanSuperargo Versus Diabolicus - Diabolikus Master Stroke - MaxFace to Face - Mayor of Silvertown Madigan's Millions - J. P. OgilvieThe Magnificent Tony Carrera - SergeSartana Does Not Forgive - Joe SullivanThey Came to Rob Las Vegas - Sheriff KlingerHot Line - TrumanCantando a la vida Hora cero: Operación Rommel - Gen. von GruberMarquis de Sade: Justine - Comte CourvilleMurder by Music - Inspector Hatchet for the Honeymoon - Dr. KallewayCuadrilátero - ÓscarEl último día de la guerra - Pvt. BroncCompañeros - LieutenantUn verano para matar - AlexLes Charlots font l'Espagne - Le capitaine du grand voilierLa isla misteriosa y el capitán Nemo - Cyrus SmithThe Corruption of Chris Miller - CommissionerLa orgía de los muertos - Professor Leon DroilaStriptease - Play BoyVenus de fuego - DetectiveMaravillas - BenitoMisterio en la isla de los monstruos - Capt. TurkottL'ultimo harem - Los diablos del mar - Captain HullPieces - Dr. JenningsLa Bestia y la Espada Magica - Otton el grandeLa hoz y el Martínez - Dimitri Vasilievich¡Qué tía la C.I.A.! - Agente de la RFASerpiente de mar a.k.a. The Sea SerpentRomanza final Yo me bajo en la próxima, ¿y usted? -