Trivia

During the war he was critical of the Nazi regime. In 1944 he was sent to an internment camp in Hungary as a "political unreliable".

In 1935 he had a severe car accident. Medics had to cut his spermatic cords, which resulted in a life-long infertility. His only child, Deana Jürgens was, as later revealed by her mother, Eva Bartok, not his own.

During the last days of World War II he tangled with the brother of high-ranking Gestapo official Ernst Kaltenbrunner, resulting in his being drafted into the army.

He died from a heart attack in 1982, but had suffered a heart attack several years previously. At that time he claimed he had a near-death experience and went to Hell.

Like many multilingual German-speaking actors, he went on to play German soldiers--usually high-ranking officers--in innumerable World War II films. Among the best known was as a frustrated general in The Longest Day (1962).

Born to a German father, a salesman from Hamburg, and a French mother, he had two older twin sisters.

Became naturalized citizen of Austria in 1945.

His height (6'4") resulted in his being nicknamed "The Norman Hulk" by Brigitte Bardot while they were working on ...And God Created Woman (1956).

Ranked #2 in a list by German tabloid "Bild" searching the men with the most sex-appeal ever (2005).

Was so accustomed to playing the roles of German officers in films that his tailor in Munich had a number of uniforms ready for him for all occasions.

In 1987 his former wife, Hungarian-born actress Eva Bartok, claimed that their daughter, Deana Jürgens (b. 1957), was actually fathered by Frank Sinatra during a brief affair that Sinatra and Bartok had had in 1956.

Owned several residences: in Saint Paul de Vence (France), Gstaad (Switzerland) and in the Bahamas.

He came to Hollywood after appearing in the Brigitte Bardot hit ...And God Created Woman (1956).

He appeared in two films that depicted the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944: The Longest Day (1962) and Battle of the Commandos (1969). Wolfgang Preiss also appeared in both films.

Was interred in the Central Cemetery, Vienna.

Although he appeared in over 100 films, he considered himself primarily a stage actor.

Began making international films in the mid-'50s, and continued in that genre until his death.

Ensemble member at the famous Vienna Burgtheater from 1940-53 and 1965-68.

Maintained a home in France, but frequently returned to Vienna to perform on stage.

He first started out in Berlin to become a journalist, but his wife, actress Lulu Basler, convinced him to take up a career as an actor.

His acting teacher was Walter Janssen.

Appeared in two films nominated for Best Picture Academy Award: The Longest Day (1962) and Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). Alexander Knox also appeared in both films.