Trivia

Just before his 81st birthday he shot himself because of his advanced physical illness.

Although thin and healthy when he began his film career in the 1920s, by the 1930s he had gained much weight. He committed suicide by shooting himself in the backyard of his home in Flower Hill, NY, apparently in despair over several illnesses he was dealing with by then.

He was married to Johanna Van Ryn, with whom he had three children, including daughter Erika Slezak, actress, born August 5, 1946. Daughter Ingrid was the first, followed by Erika and then son Leo, named after his father.

In the '70s followed only few more works like Black Beauty (1971), Treasure Island (1972), and The Love Boat (1977); after that he had to retire from the film business because of health reasons.

Early in his career in silent films, he bought a car (this was a time when few people even rode in cars, much less owned them). When he told his parents that he was driving the car himself instead of hiring a chauffeur, they were horrified, convinced that he would be killed in an accident.

He was the son of Elisabeth (Wertheim) and Leo Slezak, operatic tenor (Aug. 18, 1873-June 1, 1946), later a comedian in Austrian films. Leo was a famous Lohengrin, and is credited with this story: during one production of the opera "Lohengrin," when the mechanical swan that was to carry the hero across the lake malfunctioned and "floated" off too soon, he was heard to say, "What time is the next swan?". This quote became the title of Walter Slezak's autobiography.

He was of Czech, Austrian, and Jewish ancestry.

The actor Walter Slezak was born into a very artistic family. His father was the famous singer Leo Slezak (1873-1946) and his sister Margarete Slezak (1901-1953) was also very successful as a singer. As Walter Slezak both also appeared in movies.

Grandfather of actress Amanda Davies and actor Tobias Slezak.

Won Broadway's 1955 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Fanny."

Brother of actress Margarete Slezak.

In the '30s he acted in The Gala Performance (1932); after that he went to the USA where he continued his film career at the beginning of the '40s.

Is mentioned in Marie Killelea's book "With Love from Karen" which deals with her daughter's cerebral palsy.

Father-in-law of actor Brian Davies.