Biography

The Teutonic actor began acting in German films billed as Rudolph Amendt and continued to use his real name after moving to Hollywood in the early 1930s. In 1938 he changed his moniker to Robert O. Davis, for obvious reasons, and used it throughout WWII playing a series of Nazi spies and officers. He changed his name once again to Rudolph Anders in post-war years.

In the 1950s he was able to escape playing German officers for a time and focused on playing foreign-accented diplomats, scientists and doctors. His very last acting appearance, however, was, true to form, as a Nazi officer on a TV episode of "Garrison's Gorillas" in 1968. He then retired.

On August 27, 1928, Amendt traveled to the United States for the first time for a guest performance at the Deutsches Theater in Milwaukee; since May 2, 1932, he lived permanently in the United States. One day before Christmas Eve 1938, Amendt was naturalized, but returned temporarily to Europe in 1949.

His German-accented English confined him largely to "accent roles", and during World War II to villain parts, although not leading roles as his small build, wide eyes, soft voice and naturally quiet demeanor did not allow him to appear overly menacing.

The Baden-Württemberg native filled the classic role of German US emigrants: he played foreigners of all kinds - butlers and noblemen, officers and bartenders, police officers and doctors.