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Kurt Großkurth (or Grosskurth; 11 May 1909 – 29 May 1975) was a German actor and singer.


Biography

Grosskurth was born in Langenselbold, Germany, in 1909. He grew up in
Rhineland-Palatinate Rhineland-Palatinate ( , ; german: link=no, Rheinland-Pfalz ; lb, Rheinland-Pfalz ; pfl, Rhoilond-Palz) is a western state of Germany. It covers and has about 4.05 million residents. It is the ninth largest and sixth most populous of the ...
. In the 1920s, he followed his father's wish and went on to study hotel management in
Essen Essen (; Latin: ''Assindia'') is the central and, after Dortmund, second-largest city of the Ruhr, the largest urban area in Germany. Its population of makes it the fourth-largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne, Düsseldorf and ...
,
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
and
Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...
. In the early 1930s, he discovered his passion for the stage and he picked up acting and singing in
Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total l ...
. He quickly started performing as a singer, mostly around the
Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Ha ...
area, and guest starred as a tenor in
Hamburg Hamburg (, ; nds, label=Hamburg German, Low Saxon, Hamborg ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (german: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg; nds, label=Low Saxon, Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg),. is the List of cities in Germany by popul ...
and
Berlin Berlin is Capital of Germany, the capital and largest city of Germany, both by area and List of cities in Germany by population, by population. Its more than 3.85 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European U ...
. After the war, he got hired by several theaters and performed in operettas in
Düsseldorf Düsseldorf ( , , ; often in English sources; Low Franconian and Ripuarian: ''Düsseldörp'' ; archaic nl, Dusseldorp ) is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in ...
, Munich and
Cologne Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 millio ...
, repeatedly directed by star conductor
Franz Marszalek Franz Marszalek (born 2 August 1900 in Breslau, Schlesien, Germany (now Wrocław, Silesia, Poland); died 28 October 1975 in Cologne, Germany) was a German conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Music * Conductor (music), a person who ...
. As the 50s rolled along, he became a familiar movie figure throughout the country. He appeared as a supporting act in a considerable number of productions, which consisted mainly of lighthearted
comedies Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term ori ...
and operettas. Although never seen in a lead role, he performed alongside virtually all of the major actors from post-war Germany. His entire film career spans over ninety movie and TV productions from 1949 to 1975. Several times within two decades, he appeared in the cast of five or six movies coming out the same year. He played the recurring character of a mayor in a popular TV series in the 60s, he could be heard on the radio, and with the 70s came burgeoning international recognition as he landed small roles in major productions. He plays parts in
Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, stage director, and screenwriter. A major figure of Italian art and culture in the mid-20th century, Visconti was one of the fat ...
's ''
Ludwig Ludwig may refer to: People and fictional characters * Ludwig (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Ludwig (surname), including a list of people * Ludwig Ahgren, or simply Ludwig, American YouTube live streamer and co ...
'' as well as in Edward Dymytryk's ''Bluebeard'' and in the French George Franju movie ''La ligne d'ombre''. He's also part of the cast in Hollywood classic ''
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1971 American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. It is an adaptation of the 1964 novel ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' by Roald Dahl. The film ...
'', although his portrayal of character Harold Gloop, a stereotypical thick butcher, remains uncredited.


Death

Großkurth died in
Bad Aibling Bad Aibling () is a spa town and former district seat in Bavaria on the river Mangfall, located some southeast of Munich. It features a luxury health resort with a peat pulp bath and mineral spa. History Bad Aibling and its surrounding ...
,
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG),, is a country in Central Europe. It is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the sou ...
, shortly after his 66th birthday, on 29 May 1975, from a traffic accident. His urn stands on the cemetery wall of Grünwald, near Munich.


Filmography

*1950: '' Wedding with Erika'' as Jakob *1952: ''
The Smugglers' Banquet ''The Smugglers' Banquet'' (french: Le Banquet des fraudeurs) is a 1952 Belgian crime film directed by Henri Storck. It was entered into the 1952 Cannes Film Festival. Cast In alphabetical order * Marguerite Daulboys * Yves Deniaud – Van Mo ...
'' as Dikke Charles *1953: '' Arlette Conquers Paris'' as Kommissar *1953: '' The Divorcée'' (uncredited) *1953: ''
The Night Without Morals ''The Night Without Morals'' (german: Die Nacht ohne Moral) is a 1953 West German comedy film directed by Ferdinand Dörfler and starring Claude Farell, Gustav Knuth and Lucie Englisch.Bock & Bergfelder p. 252 It was shot at the Bavaria Studios i ...
'' *1953: ''
The Little Town Will Go to Sleep ''The Little Town Will Go to Sleep'' (german: Die kleine Stadt will schlafen gehen) is a 1954 West German comedy film directed by Hans H. König and starring Gustav Fröhlich, Jester Naefe and Helen Vita.Bock & Bergfelder p.139 It shares its t ...
'' *1954: ''
Rose-Girl Resli ''Rose-Girl Resli'' (german: Rosen-Resli) is a 1954 West German drama film directed by Harald Reinl and starring Christine Kaufmann, Josefin Kipper and Paul Klinger. The film made the child actress Kaufmann into a star. It was the debut film of ...
'' *1954: '' Daybreak'' *1954: ''
Hoheit lassen bitten Highness (abbreviation HH, oral address Your Highness) is a formal style (manner of address), style used to address (in grammatical person, second person) or refer to (in grammatical person, third person) certain members of a reigning or formerl ...
'' as Ahlsen *1954: '' Sun Over the Adriatic'' as Ronic *1955: '' The Spanish Fly'' as Hartmann *1955: '' Love's Carnival'' as Nachtportier *1956: ''
Magic Fire ''Magic Fire'' is a 1955 American biographical film about the life of composer Richard Wagner, released by Republic Pictures. Directed by William Dieterle, the film made extensive use of Wagner's music, which was arranged by Erich Wolfgang Korng ...
'' as Magdeburg Theatre Manager *1956: ' as Direktor Otto *1956: '' Holiday am Wörthersee'' as Mr. Groß, Hotelkönig aus Chicago *1956: '' Karussell der Liebe'' *1956: '' Hurra - die Firma hat ein Kind'' as Fabrikant Emil Winninger *1956: ''Manöverball'' as Ehemann *1956: ''
The Old Forester House ''The Old Forester House'' (german: Das alte Försterhaus) is a 1956 West German comedy drama film directed by Harald Philipp and starring Paul Klinger, Anita Gutwell and Trude Hesterberg. It was part of the post-war cycle of heimatfilm.Davids ...
'' as Herr Engel *1956: '' The Hunter of Fall'' as Zollbeamter Niedergstötter *1957: ''Die verpfuschte Hochzeitsnacht'' as Raucher im Zug *1957: '' Tired Theodore'' as Walter Steinberg *1957: '' Two Bavarians in the Harem'' as Selam, Obereunuche (uncredited) *1957: ' as Zappke *1957: ''
Greetings and Kisses from Tegernsee ''Greetings and Kisses from Tegernsee'' (German: ''Gruß und Kuß vom Tegernsee'') is a 1957 West German musical romantic comedy film directed by Rudolf Schündler and starring Elma Karlowa, Bert Fortell and Christiane Maybach. It was part of a l ...
'' as Amandus *1958: '' Mikosch, the Pride of the Company'' as Otto Schummrich *1958: ' as Director Schuehlein *1958: ' as Angerholzer *1958: ''
Gräfin Mariza ''Gräfin Mariza'' (''Countess Maritza'') is an operetta in three acts composed by Hungarian composer Emmerich Kálmán, with a German libretto by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald. It premiered in Vienna on 28 February 1924 at the Theater ...
'' as Dragomir *1958: ' as Schorsch Glöckle *1959: ''La Paloma'' *1959: '' Hunting Party'' *1959: '' Mikosch of the Secret Service'' as Otto Schummrich *1959: ''
Mandolins and Moonlight ''Mandolins and Moonlight'' (german: Mandolinen und Mondschein) is a 1959 West German musical romance film directed by Hans Deppe and starring Christine Görner, Claus Biederstaedt and Johanna König.Hobsch p.151 It was shot in studios in Ber ...
'' *1959: ' as Maximilian Moosbach, Bürgermeister *1959: ''
Kein Mann zum Heiraten ''Kein Mann zum Heiraten'' ("No Man to Marry") is a 1959 Austrian film directed by Hans Deppe. Plot summary Cast * Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff as Wolf Kruse *Marianne Hold as Brigitte Voss * as Renate Hammerschmidt *Friedl Czepa as Therese ...
'' as Leo Hammerschmidt *1960: '' Hit Parade 1960'' as Kaffehausbesitzer *1960: ''
Conny and Peter Make Music ''Conny and Peter Make Music'' (german: Conny und Peter machen Musik) is a 1960 West German musical comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Cornelia Froboess, Peter Kraus and Gustav Knuth. It is set in a hotel in Lake Lugano, which i ...
'' as Sulzbach *1960: ''
Willy the Private Detective ''Willy the Private Detective'' (german: Willy, der Privatdetektiv) is a 1960 West German comedy film directed by Rudolf Schündler and starring Willy Millowitsch, Renate Mannhardt and Rudolf Platte.Bock & Bergfelder p.327 Cast * Willy Mill ...
'' as Ernst Abelmann *1960:'' We Will Never Part'' as Marcello Ponella *1961: '' Der fröhliche Weinberg'' (TV Movie) *1961: ''Am Sonntag will mein Süßer mit mir segeln gehn'' as Himberger, Evelyns Vater *1961: ''
Our Crazy Aunts ''Our Crazy Aunts'' (german: Unsere tollen Tanten) is a 1961 Austrian comedy film directed by Rolf Olsen and starring Gunther Philipp, Gus Backus, and Vivi Bach. It was followed by two sequels '' Our Crazy Nieces'' and '' Our Crazy Aunts in the ...
'' as Herrmann Schmatzer *1962: ''
Drei Liebesbriefe aus Tirol ''Drei Liebesbriefe aus Tirol'' is a 1962 Austrian comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Ann Smyrner, Trude Herr and Paul Hörbiger. Partial cast * Ann Smyrner - Linda Borg * Udo Jürgens - Martin Hinterkirchner * Hans Moser - Leop ...
'' as Direktor A.B. Cobold *1962: ' as Otto Wehrkamp, Konservenfabrikant *1962: ''
Dance with Me Into the Morning ''Dance with Me Into the Morning'' (German: ''Tanze mit mir in den Morgen'') is a 1962 Austrian musical film directed by Peter Dörre and starring Gerhard Wendland, Guggi Löwinger and Rex Gildo.Von Dassanowsky p.184 The film's sets were des ...
'' as Himself *1962: ''
Wenn die Musik spielt am Wörthersee Wenn or WENN may refer to: * WENN (AM), a radio station (1320 AM) licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, United States *'' Remember WENN'', a television series that aired from 1996 to 1998 on American Movie Classics * World Entertainment News Network, ...
'' as Chauffeur Adalbert *1962: '' The Post Has Gone'' as Teutobald Stolze *1962: ''Die lustigen Vagabunden'' / ''Das haben die Mädchen gern'' as Tavernenwirt *1963: ''
Our Crazy Nieces ''Our Crazy Nieces'' (german: Unsere tollen Nichten) is a 1963 Austrian comedy film directed by Rolf Olsen and starring Gunther Philipp, Vivi Bach, and Paul Hörbiger. It was the second part in a trilogy of films which began with ''Our Crazy Aun ...
'' as Hyacinth Grad *1963: '' Übermut im Salzkammergut'' as Ruppich *1963: ''Hochzeit am Neusiedler See'' / ''Das Spukschloß im Salzkammergut'' as Rudi Lustig *1964: ''
Our Crazy Aunts in the South Seas ''Our Crazy Aunts in the South Seas'' (german: Unsere tollen Tanten in der Südsee) is a 1964 Austrian comedy film directed by Rolf Olsen and starring Gunther Philipp, Gus Backus, and Udo Jürgens. It was the final part in a trilogy of films tha ...
'' as Hyacinth *1964: '' Holiday in St. Tropez'' as Carlos Fonti *1964: '' Seven Hours of Gunfire'' as St. James *1965: ''
The Last Tomahawk ''The Last Tomahawk'' or ''The Last of the Mohicans'' (german: Der letzte Mohikaner) is a 1965 Western adventure film directed by Harald Reinl and starring Joachim Fuchsberger, Karin Dor and Marie France. It was a co-production between Franc ...
'' as Koch *1966: ''Spukschloß im Salzkammergut'' *1966: ' as Max *1967: ''Heubodengeflüster'' as Pischke *1970: ''Die Jungfrauen von Bumshausen'' as Bürgermeister Ehrentraut *1971: ''Olympia - Olympia'' (TV Movie) *1971: ''
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1971 American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. It is an adaptation of the 1964 novel '' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' by Roald Dahl. The f ...
'' as Mr. Gloop (uncredited) *1971: ''Obszönitäten'' / ''Mädchen, die sich lieben lassen'' as Der reiche Alte *1972: ''
Bluebeard "Bluebeard" (french: Barbe bleue, ) is a French folktale, the most famous surviving version of which was written by Charles Perrault and first published by Barbin in Paris in 1697 in '' Histoires ou contes du temps passé''. The tale tells the ...
'' as Von Sepper's Friend *1972: ''
Ludwig II Ludwig II (Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm; 25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886) was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. He is sometimes called the Swan King or ('the Fairy Tale King'). He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the ...
'' as Minister of Finance *1973: ''
The Countess Died of Laughter ''The Countess Died of Laughter'' (German: ''Frau Wirtins tolle Töchterlein'', Italian: ''Leva lo diavolo tuo dal... convento'') is a 1973 Austrian-Italian sex comedy film directed by Franz Antel. It is the final entry in Franz Antel's series '' ...
'' as Monk *1973: ''
La ligne d'ombre LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figure ...
'' as Alfred and Ernest Jacobus


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Grosskurth, Kurt 1909 births 1975 deaths German male stage actors German male film actors German male television actors People from Main-Kinzig-Kreis 20th-century German male actors Road incident deaths in Germany