Paul Otto Schlesinger (8 February 1878 – 25 or 30 November 1943) was a German film actor and director. Born in

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...

, he began a qualification as a retail merchant and made his actor's debut at the age of 17. Otto worked at Theaters in Halle,

Wiesbaden Wiesbaden () is a city in central western Germany and the capital of the state of Hesse. , it had 290,955 inhabitants, plus approximately 21,000 United States citizens (mostly associated with the United States Army). The Wiesbaden urban area ...

and

Hanover Hanover (; german: Hannover ; nds, Hannober) is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,932 (2021) inhabitants make it the 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the fourth-largest city in Northern Germany ...

before he returned to Berlin about 1906. He first appeared in the

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

''Ringkampf Konkurrenz'' in 1910 and in ''

Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes ''Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes'' is a 1910 German drama film, drama film serial directed by Viggo Larsen. The survival status of any of the episodes is unknown. Cast * Viggo Larsen as Sherlock Holmes * Paul Otto as Arsène Lupin List o ...

'' (1910-11, five episode film serial) next to

Viggo Larsen Viggo Larsen (14 August 1880 – 6 January 1957) was a Danish film actor, director and producer from the early silent era to the ' talkies'. He appeared in 140 films between 1906 and 1942. He also directed 235 films between 1906 and 1921. ...

. In 1912 Otto directed his first own film ''Selbstgerichtet''. In the beginning of the 1930s he also appeared in successful Sound movies like '' Der Hauptmann von Köpenick''. After 1933, Otto returned to theaterstages and worked at the

Deutsches Theater Berlin The Deutsches Theater is a theater in Berlin, Germany. It was built in 1850 as Friedrich-Wilhelm-Städtisches Theater, after Frederick William IV of Prussia. Located on Schumann Street (Schumannstraße), the Deutsches Theater consists of two ad ...

and the ''Kammerspiele'' Berlin. In 1937 he was awarded a ''Staatsschauspieler'' - title and in 1942 Joseph Goebbels promoted him to the head of the stagecouncil at the

Reichskulturkammer The Reich Chamber of Culture (''Reichskulturkammer'') was a government agency in Nazi Germany. It was established by law on 22 September 1933 in the course of the ''Gleichschaltung'' process at the instigation of Reich Minister Joseph Goebbels as ...

. In September 1943 his Jewish descent was discovered. To avoid his deportation Otto committed suicide on 30 November 1943, together with his wife Charlotte Klinder-Otto at his home in Berlin.

Selected filmography

Otto appeared in 144 films between 1910 and 1940. * ''

'' (1910–11) * '' Frontstairs and Backstairs'' (1915) * ''

The Confessions of the Green Mask ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1916) * '' The Woman at the Crossroads'' (1919) * '' Revenge Is Mine'' (1919) * ''

Bettler GmbH ''Bettler GmbH'' is a 1919 German silent film directed by Alwin Neuß and starring Paul Otto and Lil Dagover.Hardt p. 215–216 Cast * Fritz Achterberg * Lil Dagover * Fred Goebel * Alwin Neuß as Bobby * Paul Otto Paul Otto Schlesing ...

'' (1919) * '' Judith Trachtenberg'' (1920) * '' Temperamental Artist'' (1920) * '' Scherben'' (1921) * ''

Parisian Women ''Parisian Women'' (German: ''Pariserinnen'') is a 1921 German silent film directed by Léo Lasko and starring Ressel Orla, Xenia Desni and Ralph Arthur Roberts.Krautz p.314 The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Herlth and Walt ...

'' (1921) * '' Peter Voss, Thief of Millions'' (1921) * '' The Sins of the Mother'' (1921) * ''

The Inheritance of Tordis ''The Inheritance of Tordis'' (German: ''Die Erbin von Tordis'') is a 1921 German silent drama film directed by Robert Dinesen and starring Ica von Lenkeffy, Paul Hartmann and Adolf Klein.Grange p.95 The film's sets were designed by the art ...

'' (1921) * '' Power of Temptation'' (1922) * ''

The Flight into Marriage ''The Flight into Marriage'' (german: Die Flucht in die Ehe) is a 1922 German silent film directed by Artur Retzbach and starring Gunnar Tolnæs, Carola Toelle and Albert Steinrück.Krautz p. 397 The film's sets were designed by the art direct ...

'' (1922) * '' Tabitha, Stand Up'' (1922) * ''

Miss Rockefeller Is Filming ''Miss Rockefeller Is Filming'' (german: Miss Rockefeller filmt) is a 1922 German silent comedy film directed by Erich Schönfelder and starring Paul Otto, Stella Arbenina and Georg Alexander.Hake, Sabine. ''The Cinema's Third Machine: Writing ...

'' (1922) * ''

His Excellency from Madagascar ''His Excellency from Madagascar'' (german: Seine Exzellenz von Madagaskar) is a 1922 German silent thriller film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Paul Otto, Eva May, and Georg Alexander. It was released in two parts ''Das Mädchen aus der ...

'' (1922) * ''

Inge Larsen ''Inge Larsen'' is a 1923 German silent drama film directed by Hans Steinhoff and starring Henny Porten, Paul Otto and Ressel Orla.Bock & Bergfelder p.372 It was shot on location in Copenhagen. The film's sets were designed by art directors A ...

'' (1923) * ''

Comedians of Life ''Comedians of Life'' (german: Komödianten des Lebens) is a 1924 German silent film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Elga Brink, Georg Alexander and Bruno Kastner. The film's art direction was by Ludwig Kainer. Cast * Elga Brink * Geo ...

'' (1924) * ''

Girls You Don't Marry ''Girls You Don't Marry'' (german: Mädchen, die man nicht heiratet) is a 1924 German silent comedy film directed by Géza von Bolváry and starring Ellen Kürti, Karl Beckersachs, and Paul Otto. It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich. T ...

'' (1924) * ''

Women Who Fall by the Wayside ''Women Who Fall by the Wayside'' (german: Frauen, die vom Weg abirren) is a 1925 German silent film, silent drama film directed by Géza von Bolváry and starring Ellen Kürti, Olaf Fjord, and Carl Walther Meyer. It was made by Bavaria Film at ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Wife of Forty Years ''The Wife of Forty Years'' (German: ''Die Frau von vierzig Jahren'') is a 1925 German silent drama film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Diana Karenne, Vladimir Gajdarov and Sig Arno. The film's art direction was by Paul Leni.Kasten & ...

'' (1925) * ''

Hussar Fever ''Hussar Fever'' (German: ''Husarenfieber'') is a 1925 German silent comedy film directed by Georg Jacoby and starring Max Hansen, Georg Alexander and Jakob Tiedtke. The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert A. Dietrich. Cast ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Old Ballroom ''The Old Ballroom'' (german: Das alte Ballhaus) is a 1925 German silent drama film directed by Wolfgang Neff and starring Carl Auen, Olga Tschechowa, and Sybill Morel. It was released in two parts, both of which premiered on the same day in B ...

'' (1925) * '' Women You Rarely Greet'' (1925) * '' The Gentleman Without a Residence'' (1925) * ''

Women of Passion ''Women of Passion'' (german: Frauen der Leidenschaft) is a 1926 German silent film directed by Rolf Randolf and starring Fern Andra, Ágnes Esterházy, and Henry Bender. The film's sets were designed by Robert A. Dietrich Robert A. Dietrich ( ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Trial of Donald Westhof ''The Trial of Donald Westhof'' (German: ''Der Kampf des Donald Westhof'') is a 1927 German silent crime film directed by Fritz Wendhausen and starring Oskar Homolka, Karin Evans and Imre Ráday.Nichols p.89 It was shot at the Babelsberg Studio ...

'' (1927) * '' The Bordellos of Algiers'' (1927) * '' The Hunt for the Bride'' (1927) * ''

The Lorelei ''The Lorelei'' (german: Die Lorelei) is a 1927 German silent film, silent drama film directed by Wolfgang Neff and starring Renate Brausewetter, Trude Hesterberg, and Lotte Lorring. The film's sets were designed by Willi Herrmann. Cast In alph ...

'' (1927) * ''

Benno Stehkragen ''Benno Stehkragen'' is a 1927 German silent film directed by Trude Santen and starring Margit Barnay, Bruno Arno and Käthe Haack.Bock & Bergfelder p. 156 The film's sets were designed by the art director Botho Hoefer Botho Hoefer (1880–19 ...

'' (1927) * ''

Potsdam Potsdam () is the capital and, with around 183,000 inhabitants, largest city of the German state of Brandenburg. It is part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. Potsdam sits on the River Havel, a tributary of the Elbe, downstream of B ...

'' (1927) * '' Forbidden Love'' (1927) * ''

Grand Hotel A grand hotel is a large and luxurious hotel, especially one housed in a building with traditional architectural style. It began to flourish in the 1800s in Europe and North America. Grand Hotel may refer to: Hotels Africa * Grande Hotel Beir ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Eighteen Year Old ''The Eighteen Year Old'' (german: Die Achtzehnjährigen) is a 1927 German silent drama film directed by Manfred Noa and starring Andrée Lafayette, Ernő Verebes, and Frida Richard. It was made at the Staaken Studios in Berlin. The film's sets ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Green Alley ''The Green Alley'' (German: ''Die Rothausgasse'') is a 1928 German silent film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Grete Mosheim, Gustav Fröhlich and Marija Leiko.Weniger p.303 The film was made by the German branch of Universal Pictures ...

'' (1928) * ''

Sajenko the Soviet ''Sajenko the Soviet'' (German: ''Die geheime Macht'') is a 1928 German silent drama film directed by Erich Waschneck and starring Michael Bohnen, Suzy Vernon and Walter Rilla.Bock & Bergfelder p.33 It was shot at the Babelsberg Studios in Berl ...

'' (1928) * '' The Abduction of the Sabine Women'' (1928) * ''

Only a Viennese Woman Kisses Like That ''Only a Viennese Woman Kisses Like That'' (german: So küsst nur eine Wienerin) is a 1928 German silent film directed by Arthur Bergen and starring Werner Fuetterer, Grete Graal, and Erna Morena.Kasten p. 116 It was made at the Emelka Studios ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Gallant Hussar ''The Gallant Hussar'' (german: Der fesche Husar) is a 1928 German-British romance film directed by Géza von Bolváry and starring Ivor Novello, Evelyn Holt, and Paul Hörbiger. It was based on a story by the Hungarian writer Arthur Bárdos ...

'' (1928) * '' The Love of the Brothers Rott'' (1929) * '' The Tsarevich'' (1929) * ''

Three Days Confined to Barracks ''Three Days Confined to Barracks'' (German: ''Drei Tage Mittelarrest'') is a 1930 German comedy film directed by Carl Boese and starring Max Adalbert, Ida Wüst, and Gretl Theimer. The film is a farce set around a military barracks. It was a m ...

'' (1930) * '' The Captain from Köpenick'' (1931) * '' Elisabeth of Austria'' (1931) * '' Storm in a Water Glass'' (1931) * '' The Other Side'' (1931) * ''

Rasputin, Demon with Women ''Rasputin, Demon with Women'' (German: ''Rasputin, Dämon der Frauen'') is a 1932 German drama film directed by Adolf Trotz and starring Conrad Veidt, Paul Otto and Hermine Sterler. It portrays the influence wielded by Grigori Rasputin over th ...

'' (1932) * ''

Overnight Sensation ''Overnight Sensation'' is the thirteenth studio album by British rock band Motörhead. It was released on 15 October 1996 via Steamhammer, their second on the label. It is their first studio album to not feature guitarist Würzel, and returni ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Secret of Johann Orth ''The Secret of Johann Orth'' (German: ) is a 1932 German historical film, historical drama film directed by Willi Wolff and starring Karl Ludwig Diehl, Ellen Richter and Paul Wegener.Grange p.398 It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin ...

'' (1932) * ''

This One or None ''This One or None'' (German: ''Die - oder keine'') is a 1932 German musical film directed by Carl Froelich and starring Gitta Alpar, Max Hansen and Ferdinand von Alten. It is part of the tradition of operetta films. It was shot at the Johannis ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Dancer of Sanssouci ''The Dancer of Sanssouci'' (german: Die Tänzerin von Sans Souci) is a 1932 German historical drama film directed by Frederic Zelnik and starring Otto Gebühr, Lil Dagover, and Rosa Valetti. Set at the court of Frederick the Great, the film is p ...

'' (1932) * ''

Things Are Getting Better Already ''Things Are Getting Better Already'' (German: ''Es wird schon wieder besser'') is a 1932 German comedy film directed by Kurt Gerron and starring Dolly Haas, Heinz Rühmann and Paul Otto.Waldman p.45 It was shot at the Babelsberg Studios in Berl ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Invisible Front ''The Invisible Front'' (german: Die unsichtbare Front) is a 1932 German spy thriller film directed by Richard Eichberg and starring Trude von Molo, Karl Ludwig Diehl, Veit Harlan and Paul Hörbiger. The story was written by Robert A. Stemmle, ...

'' (1932) * '' Kiki'' (1932) * '' A Love Story'' (1933) * '' Spies at Work'' (1933) * ''

The Hymn of Leuthen ''The Hymn of Leuthen'' (german: Der Choral von Leuthen) is a 1933 German film depicting Frederick the Great, directed by Carl Froelich starring Otto Gebühr, Olga Tschechowa and Elga Brink. It was part of the cycle of nostalgic Prussian films ...

'' (1933) * '' Tell Me Who You Are'' (1933) * '' The Tsarevich'' (1933) * ''

You Are Adorable, Rosmarie ''You Are Adorable, Rosmarie'' (German: ''Du bist entzückend, Rosmarie!'') is a 1934 German romantic comedy film directed by Hans von Wolzogen (producer), Hans von Wolzogen and starring Herta Worell, Hans Stüwe and Hans Adalbert Schlettow.Krautz ...

'' (1934) * ''

Between Two Hearts ''Between Two Hearts'' (German: ''Zwischen zwei Herzen'') is a 1934 German drama film directed by Herbert Selpin and starring Harry Liedtke, Luise Ullrich and Olga Tschechowa. It is based on the novel ''Ulla die Tochter'' by Werner Scheff.Goble p. ...

'' (1934) * ''

Police Report In legal terminology, a complaint is any formal legal document that sets out the facts and legal reasons (see: cause of action) that the filing party or parties (the plaintiff(s)) believes are sufficient to support a claim against the party ...

'' (1934) * '' Escapade'' (1936) * ''

The Castle in Flanders ''The Castle in Flanders'' (german: Das Schloß in Flandern) is a 1936 German drama film directed by Géza von Bolváry and starring Mártha Eggerth, Paul Hartmann, and Georg Alexander. It was shot at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin. The fi ...

'' (1936) * '' Togger'' (1937) * ''

Unternehmen Michael ''Unternehmen Michael'' (Operation Michael or The Michael Action; English title ''The Private's Job'') is a 1937 German film directed by Karl Ritter, the first of three films about the First World War which he made during the period when the Thi ...

'' (1937) * ''

The Mystery of Betty Bonn ''The Mystery of Betty Bonn'' (german: Das Geheimnis um Betty Bonn) is a 1938 German adventure film directed by Robert A. Stemmle and starring Maria Andergast, Theodor Loos and Hans Nielsen.Kreimeier p. 286 The film was shot at the Babelsberg S ...

'' (1938) * ''

Little County Court ''Little County Court'' (German: ''Kleines Bezirksgericht'') is a 1938 German comedy film directed by Alwin Elling and starring Hans Moser, Ida Wüst and Lucie Englisch. It was shot at the Halensee Studios in Berlin.Klaus p.115 The film's sets ...

'' (1938) * ''

Pour le Mérite The ' (; , ) is an order of merit (german: Verdienstorden) established in 1740 by Frederick the Great, King Frederick II of Prussia. The was awarded as both a military and civil honour and ranked, along with the Order of the Black Eagle, the Or ...

'' (1938) * ''

Uproar in Damascus ''Uproar in Damascus'' (German: ''Aufruhr in Damaskus'') is a 1939 German thriller film directed by Gustav Ucicky and starring Brigitte Horney, Joachim Gottschalk and Hans Nielsen. It is set during the First World War with German troops battling ...

'' (1939) * '' The Governor'' (1939) * ''

Robert Koch Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch ( , ; 11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910) was a German physician and microbiologist. As the discoverer of the specific causative agents of deadly infectious diseases including tuberculosis, cholera (though the Vibrio ...

'' (1939) * '' D III 88'' (1939) * '' Woman Without a Past'' (1939) * ''

The Fox of Glenarvon ''The Fox of Glenarvon'' (German: ''Der Fuchs von Glenarvon'') is a German propaganda film from the Nazi era portraying the years of the Irish fight for independence during World War I. It was produced in 1940 by Max W. Kimmich and starred Olga ...

'' (1940) * '' Passion'' (1940) * ''

Falstaff in Vienna ''Falstaff in Vienna'' (german: Falstaff in Wien) is a 1940 German musical comedy film directed by Leopold Hainisch and starring Hans Nielsen, Gusti Wolf and Paul Hörbiger.Fawkes p. 110 It portrays the life of the nineteenth century composer Ot ...

'' (1940)

References

External links

*
Biography (German)

Photographs of Paul Otto
{{DEFAULTSORT:Otto, Paul 1878 births 1943 deaths 20th-century German male actors German male film actors German male silent film actors Male actors from Berlin Suicides in Germany German people of Jewish descent 1943 suicides