Biography

French leading actor, popular in costume dramas from the silent film era until WW2. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1942, after someone close to him (who was profiting from working with the Nazis in occupied France) reported Harry to the "Institute for the Study of Jewish Questions" not because Harry was Jewish himself, but Jewish "by association" notably his wife and several of his friends. There is no evidence that Harry Baur went of his own free will to make a film in Berlin. All evidence points to him agreeing to make a film in Berlin, Symphonie Eines Lebens, as a means to save his wife. Instead, when the film was complete, he was arrested and tortured. He was released and returned to Paris, where he died in his apartment.

Journeyed to Germany to make a movie, but after completing it he was arrested by the Nazi authorities - apparently because his wife was Jewish and suspected of engaging in anti-Nazi activities in France - and tortured for information. He was eventually released, but was found dead shortly afterwards.

He had been cited by Rod Steiger as one of his favorite actors who had exerted a major influence on his craft and career.

Harry Baur played Russian characters so often that he was called "The most Slavic of French actors.".

Buried in the exclusive "St.Vincent" cemetery Paris, France.