Martin Held was a renowned German film actor of the 1950's and 1960's, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His educational background commenced in Berlin, where he attended school before embarking on a brief stint as a technician at Siemens. In 1929, he received a stipend to hone his acting skills at the prestigious Berlin University of the Arts, graduating in 1931.
Following his academic pursuits, Held went on to perform at the majority of Germany's leading theatres, often taking on classical roles. His breakthrough on the silver screen came in 1951, courtesy of director Alfred Weidenmann.
Held's subsequent performances in films like Deadly Decision (1954),in which he portrayed Heydrich, garnered critical acclaim, paving the way for further starring roles. His on-screen presence was characterized by an incisive, dominant personality, often accompanied by a somewhat brooding, mysterious aura. He frequently took on anti-heroes, schemers, and swindlers, men with a dark past or shallow bon vivants.
Not limited to portraying nefarious characters, Held also had the ability to personify integrity, as evident in his portrayal of a mayor in The Captain from Köpenick (1956). However, he was not typically called upon to play romantic leads. In a departure from his usual typecast, Held starred in the military comedy Fast ein Held (1967),playing a German NCO in a fictional village in occupied France who inadvertently becomes the town commandant (ironically, to the betterment of the locals). His performance earned him the prestigious Ernst LubitschPreis for best comedy performance.
In addition to his cinematic endeavors, Held also utilized his powerful baritone voice to great effect in radio performances and for dubbing Hollywood tough guys such as E.G. Marshall, George Macready, and Neville Brand.
