Carl Möhner

Carl Möhner (born Carl Martin Rudolf Möhner on 11 August 1921 in Vienna, Austria) was a multifaceted Austrian film professional whose career spanned acting, directing, screenwriting, and painting. He began his cinematic journey in the post‑war era, making his first on‑screen appearance in the 1949 production Vagabonds, and quickly established himself as a versatile character actor, appearing in more than forty films over a twenty‑seven‑year period. Among his most celebrated performances was the role of Jo “le Suédois” in the classic 1955 French heist film Rififi, a performance that showcased his ability to blend charisma with a gritty realism, and his portrayal of Captain Lindemann in the 1960 war epic Sink the Bismarck! cemented his reputation in international cinema. In addition to his screen work, Möhner pursued directing and screenwriting projects, while maintaining a lifelong passion for visual arts, producing a substantial body of paintings that reflected his Austrian heritage and his experiences abroad. After retiring from film in 1976, Möhner married German painter Wilma Langhamer in 1978, and the couple relocated to McAllen, Texas the following year, where he spent the remainder of his life. Despite battling Parkinson’s disease in his later years, he remained artistically active until his death on 14 January 2005. He is survived by his two sons, Gunther and Gernot, both of whom followed in his footsteps as actors. Carl Möhner’s legacy endures through his memorable film roles, his contributions to European cinema, and the artistic works that continue to be celebrated by collectors and film historians alike.