Trivia

Although he was a German and stayed in Nazi Germany during World War II, one of his biggest fans was Anne Frank, writer of the famous "The Diary of a Young Girl". She even posted Heinz Rühmann's picture above her bed in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam, where it can still be seen today.

Was forced to witness the rape of his wife Hertha Feiler by Russian soldiers in his Berlin villa (May 1945).

Even the great Heinz Rühman wasn't spared from the political confusions in Germany. In 1938, he had to get a divorce from his Jewish wife Maria. She got married with the Swedish actor Rolf von Nauckhoff, which helped her receive the departure permission to Sweden. There she was financially supported by Heinz Rühmann during the war.

Being good friends with pilot Ernst Udet, he learned flying and had a pilot's license until his 80th birthday.

Though he had a considerable talent for mimicry, Rühmann often struggled with regional dialects. The Bavarian dialect, in particular, eluded him and he never attempted it either on the stage or in films.

In the 30s Heinz Rühmann shot one movie after the other and found ideal complementing film partners in the actor Hans Albers and comedians Theo Lingen and Hans Moser.

After the war he was confronted with a working prohibition by the Allies.

Ranked #1 in a survey by network ZDF searching Germany's all-time favorite actor (24 November 2006).

The actor Heinz Rühmann achieved a career in German film history which is unique till today. As a short man he became one of the greatest stars and banished the audience for more than 40 years with his predominant comedy movies.

The administration of Neukölln, a Berlin district, gave out a silver coin with his head on it remembering The Captain from Köpenick (1956) (1977).

Had the doubtful honor to make a short film on the occasion of Joseph Goebbels's birthday, in which he portrayed the minister's children and his wife Magda Goebbels.

Rühmann was taught flying by a Bavarian World War I fighter ace, the highly decorated Eduard Ritter von Schleich (1888-1947). He later formed a close friendship with the legendary pilot Ernst Udet (1896-1941).

Received several notable awards: Germany's Cross of Merit (1966), Germany's Great Cross of Merit with star and shoulder ribbon (1972), Munich's Cultural Honorary Prize (1977), Bavaria's Maximilianorden for Science and Art (1982), Munich's Golden Honorary Coin (1990) and the Golden Berolina (1991).

The street in the Bavarian village of Berg, where he had lived until his death, was named "Heinz-Rühmann-Weg".

When Erich Pommer engaged the young actor Rühmann for the movie "Die Drei von der Tankstelle" (30) alongside the dream couple Willy Fritsch and Lilian Harvey, it was the starting point for a unique career. Heinz Rühmann was signed on by the UFA and became one of the most popular comedians who conquered the hearts of the audience with his pert appearance and his cheeky and cheerful way to act.

Honory Member of the International Lodge of Artists (1955)

Ensemble member at the famous Vienna Burgtheater from 1960 to 1962.

He carried out a gradual change from a comedian to a pensive character actor in the 60's.

Only few are aware today that Heinz Rühmann began his film career in the silent movie era. But the two movies "Das deutsche Mutterherz" (1926) and "Das Mädchen mit den fünf Nullen" (1927) didn't mean the breakthrough but merely a short excursion to a new medium.

He was born as one of three children (he had two sisters) to Hermann and Margarethe Rühmann. After his parents had divorced in 1916, his father committed suicide.

His first weekly salary as an actor was 80 Marks per month. By 1927/28, he had established his presence on the Berlin stage and was earning 80 Marks a day.

Made his theatrical debut in Breslau in 1920, appearing in the plays "Rose Bernd" by Hauptmann and "Pandora's Box" by Wedekind.

His career began in 1919 when Heinz Rühmann decided to take acting lessons. Already six months after this important step he got his first theater engagement at the Lobe and Thalia theater. It followed stages in Hannover, Bremen, Munich and Berlin.

When producer Gyula Trebitsch helped the failed Heinz Rühmann to get a comeback, this was the begin of his second career. With "Keine Angst vor grossen Tieren" (1953) he found the kind of role which was accepted and rewarded by the public.

He played at theaters before he founded together with Alf Teichs the film company Comedia in 1947. From 1948 he was working in front of the camera again and had a succès d'estime with "Berliner Ballade" (48). But the other movies didn't attract the interest of the audience and the film company went bankrupt. This failure had a great effect on Heinz Rühmann's life whose fees were seized to 50 % till 1959.

Though he was usually associated with extrovert comedy roles, he was an extremely serious, even shy person in private life. This became even more accentuated following the death of his beloved wife Hertha Feiler in 1970. Rühmann became increasingly introverted and was not seen laughing or being in any way lighthearted unless on stage or in front of the camera.

Father of Peter Rühmann (mother: Hertha Feiler) and grandfather of Claudia Rühmann and Melanie Rühmann.

1940 "Staatsschauspieler"

First wife Maria Herbot aka Maria Bernheim (1897-1957) later married actor Rolf von Nauckhoff.

Stepfather of Erik Droemer.