Marcel was a renowned character actor who made a lasting impact on the early years of television. Throughout his 40-year career in Hollywood, he played a wide range of roles, often typecast as a French gendarme, maître d', or small-time crook.
Born Erwin Ottmar Hiller in Cologne, Germany, Marcel was the son of a music journalist and opera singer, Paul Hiller. He initially began his acting career on stage under the pseudonym Harry Furster, in an attempt to conceal his Jewish ancestry. However, his early performances were cut short when he was imprisoned by the Nazis, and he later managed to escape and make his way to America.
Marcel's acting career in television began in 1952, and he soon transitioned to the Broadway stage, appearing in productions such as "The Heavenly Twins" and "Silk Stockings." He quickly found success in his French impersonations, which would become a hallmark of his career.
Marcel's comedic timing and ability to portray stereotypical characters made him a memorable presence on screen. One of his most iconic roles was as the professor in the romantic comedy Sabrina (1954),where he taught Audrey Hepburn's character how to break an egg.
During the 1960s, Marcel worked extensively on the MGM lot, particularly in the spy spoof genre, appearing in notable productions such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964),Get Smart (1965),and I Spy (1965). He often played well-meaning but bumbling secret agents, showcasing his comedic chops.
Marcel's versatility extended to science fiction, with appearances on The Twilight Zone (1959) and Lost in Space (1965). He also had a memorable role as 'Fritz,' a once-famous German film director, in Woody Allen's comedy Take the Money and Run (1969).
One of Marcel's most iconic performances was in Take the Money and Run, where he played 'Fritz' with a tongue-in-cheek nod to the real-life German director Fritz Lang. For the next decade, Marcel continued to appear on television, though he rarely had the same opportunities to shine as he did in the swinging 60's.
Marcel lived the remainder of his life in Los Angeles, never marrying, and passed away in January 1988 at the age of 79 due to complications from surgery. Despite his passing, Marcel's legacy as a scene-stealing character actor continues to be celebrated.
