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Wolfgang Preiss
Wolfgang Preiss was a prolific German theatre, film, and television actor whose career spanned over six decades, beginning with his stage debut in Munich in 1932 after intensive studies in philosophy, German, and drama. He honed his craft in a myriad of regional theatres—from Heidelberg to Berlin—before making his wartime film debut in the UFA production Die große Liebe (1942), a role for which he was uniquely exempted from military service. Following World War II, Preiss returned to the stage and supplemented his income by dubbing foreign films into German, lending his resonant voice to stars such as Lex Barker and Christopher Lee. The turning point in his cinematic journey arrived with his portrayal of Claus von Stauffenberg in The Plot to Assassinate Hitler (1955), earning him the 1956 Federal Film Award and cementing his reputation as a compelling embodiment of disciplined, duty‑bound German officers. Over the next three decades he repeatedly stepped into the shoes of high‑ranking military figures in both European and Hollywood productions, appearing alongside legends like Burt Lancaster in The Train (1964), Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan's Express (1965), and Richard Attenborough’s epic A Bridge Too Far (1977). His recurring role as the enigmatic Dr. Mabuse cemented his status as a staple of German popular culture, while his later years saw a shift toward television, most notably as Field Marshal von Brauchitsch in the miniseries The Winds of War and War and Remembrance.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Wolfgang Preiss, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Wolfgang Preiss rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Wolfgang
Born: Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany
Citizenship: German
Birthday: February 27, 1910
Occupations: theatre actor, film actor, television actor
Years Active: 1932-1996
Spouses: Ruth Preiss
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Wolfgang Preiss
A Bridge Too Far
The Train
Ghost of Love
The Winds of War
The Formula
War and Remembrance
Dr. M
Cave of the Living Dead
The Terror of Doctor Mabuse
The Salzburg Connection
The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse
The Great Love
Von Ryan’s Express
Darkness Fell on Gotenhafen
Mill of the Stone Women
Spy Today, Die Tomorrow
The Master Touch
The Black Cobra
Anastasia: the Czar’s Last Daughter
Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard
The Plot to Assassinate Hitler
Battle of the Commandos
The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse
Is Paris Burning?
Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?
The Mad Executioners
Hannibal Brooks
Backfire
Raid on Rommel
The Green Devils of Monte Cassino
The Return of Dr. Mabuse
Canaris
Sharks and Little Fish
100 Horsemen
Lafayette
Roses for the Prosecutor
Jungfrau aus zweiter Hand
Mistress of the World - Part I
The Invisible Dr. Mabuse
The Bloodstained Butterfly
The Cardinal
The Counterfeit Traitor
The Fifth Cord
Bloodline
Doctor Without Scruples
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Wolfgang Preiss, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1971
Raid on Rommel
Gen. Erwin Rommel
The Bloodstained Butterfly
The Prosecutor
The Fifth Cord
Police inspector
1967
Spy Today, Die Tomorrow
Sebastian (BND chief)
Jungfrau aus zweiter Hand
Leiter der Mordkommission
1964
Cave of the Living Dead
Prof. von Adelsberg
The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse
Dr. Mabuse
Backfire
Grenner
100 Horsemen
Sheik Abengalbon
1963
The Black Cobra
Stanislas Raskin
Dr. Mabuse vs. Scotland Yard
Geist von Dr. Mabuse
The Mad Executioners
Morel Smith
The Cardinal
1962
The Terror of Doctor Mabuse
Dr. Mabuse
Lafayette
Baron Kalb
The Invisible Dr. Mabuse
Dr. Krone / Dr. Mabuse
The Counterfeit Traitor
Colonel Nordoff
1960
Darkness Fell on Gotenhafen
Dr. Beck
Mill of the Stone Women
Doctor Loren Bolem
The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse
Prof. Jordan/Peter Cornelius/Dr. Mabuse
Mistress of the World - Part I
Dr. Henrik Brandes
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