Ludwig Donath
Ludwig Donath, was an Austrian actor who appeared in many American films.
Life
Born to a Jewish family, Donath graduated from Vienna's Academy of Dramatic Art and became a prominent actor on the stage in Berlin. When Hitler came to power in 1933, he returned to Vienna and was active there in theater and film until the Anschluss in 1938. He began his American film career with Lady from Chungking and went on to appear in dozens of films, including Gilda, The Jolson Story, Jolson Sings Again, The Great Caruso, My Pal Gus, Sirocco, and Torn Curtain.
Donath played the father of entertainer Al Jolson in the two biopics The Jolson Story and Jolson Sings Again, although he was less than 15 years older than Parks as Jolson.
He also appeared frequently on television and on Broadway.
He died of leukemia in 1967. His cremains are interred at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
Partial filmography
Theodor Herzl – Prinz EugenGirls to Marry Füsilier Wipf – Kriegsgefangener Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen – ReeceThe Secret Code – Nazi Prof. MetzgerThe Falcon's Brother – Stranger in Telephone Booth Lady from Chungking – Hans GruberReunion in France – Desk Clerk in Hotel Margin for Error – Hitler's VoiceThe Moon Is Down – Hitler's VoiceHangmen Also Die! – Schirmer Tonight We Raid Calais – German Sentry Above Suspicion – Gestapo Officer in Schultz's Laboratory This Land Is Mine – German Captain Hostages – Karel KlimaThe Strange [Death of Adolf Hitler (film)|The Strange Death of Adolf Hitler] – Adolf Hitler / Franz HuberGangway for Tomorrow – Polish Worker Tampico – Commander The [Hitler Gang] – Gustav von KahrThe Story of Dr. Wassell – Dutch Doctor on Train The [Seventh Cross (film)|The Seventh Cross] – Wilhelm Reinhardt The [Master Race (film)|The Master Race] – Schmidt Counter-Attack – Prof. MüllerPrison Ship – ProfessorGilda – German Cartel MemberThe Devil's Mask – Dr. KargerRenegades – JackorskiThe Jolson Story – Cantor YoelsonBlondie Knows Best – Dr. TitusThe Return of Monte Cristo – Judge LafitteCigarette Girl – OttoTo the [Ends of the Earth (1948 film)|To the Ends of the Earth] – Nicholas SokimSealed Verdict – Jakob MeyersohnThe Fighting O'Flynn – HendriggThe Lovable Cheat – VioletteThe Great Sinner – DoctorJolson Sings Again – Cantor YoelsonThere's a Girl in My Heart – Professor Joseph KronerThe Killer That Stalked New York – Dr. CooperMystery Submarine – Dr. Adolph GuernitzThe Great Caruso – Alfredo BrazziSirocco – Flophouse ProprietorJourney Into Light – 'Doc' ThorssenMy Pal Gus – KarlSins of Jezebel – NabothThe Veils of Bagdad – KaffarTorn Curtain – Professor Gustav LindtThe Spy in the Green Hat – Dr. Heinrich von KronenToo Many Thieves – Bulanerti
Television appearances
Decoy: "The Gentle Gun-Man" - "Knish" Ben Casey "Behold, They Walk An Ancient Road" Rabbi Meyer Levinson Bonanza: "The Way of Aaron" – Aaron KaufmanThe Twilight Zone: "He's Alive" – Ernst GanzBranded: "A Proud Town" - Julius PerrinThe Fugitive: "Blessings of Liberty" – Dr. Josef Karac