Biography

Portly German character actor, the son of a journalist. Trained at the acting academy of the Deutschen Theater in Berlin and later under Louise Dumont, he began on stage in 1902 with touring companies in East Prussia and Silesia. Schaeffers enjoyed a successful career in Berlin cabaret during the period leading up to World War I. Following military service, he appeared in operettas and musical comedies on the Berlin stage. He played supporting roles on screen, usually essaying self-important or supercilious types. From 1939-44, he worked as director of the Kabarett der Komiker in Berlin.

He normally didn't get leading roles but he was able to charm the audience with his support roles and gave the movies his personal note.

The actor Willi Schaeffers began his acting career in 1902 for different theaters. It followed engagements at the Stadttheater Posen and at the Lustspielhaus in Berlin.

With the outbreak of World War II Willi Schaeffers disappeared completely from the screen, only in 1949 he had his comeback with "Anonyme Briefe" (1949).

During World War I he served as a soldier at the East front and in France. When he was wounded he was released from the duty and he made his entrance with cabaret numbers for different barracks and military hospitals.