Corpulent, bushy-browed Czechoslovakian-born character actor Gertan Klauber was a ubiquitous presence on British television, effortlessly transitioning between comedic roles in "Carry On" films and more dramatic parts, such as a Roman galley master in the 1963 episode of "Doctor Who". As a child, Klauber immigrated to Britain, where he devoted himself to the study of acting at Birmingham's prestigious institutions before relocating to London in the mid-1950s.
Over the course of the next four decades, Klauber's impressive theatrical career flourished, as he took to the stages of the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company, the Arts Theatre, and the National Theatre, in addition to lending his talents to numerous BBC TV drama series. Klauber's remarkable linguistic abilities, which included fluency in Eastern and Central European dialects, often led to his being typecast in roles that showcased his versatility, such as spies, border guards, waiters, minor officials, and oily second-string villains.
Throughout his extensive career, Klauber made memorable guest appearances on various popular television shows, including "The Saint" (1962),"Secret Agent" (1964),and "The Prisoner" (1967). His most sidesplitting performance arguably came as the eccentric, penguin-obsessed King George III in the final episode of "Blackadder the Third" (1987).
