Walter Slezak

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Actor Walter Slezak in Born to Kill (1947)

Walter Slezak (May 3, 1902 – April 21, 1983) was an Austrian actor.

He was born in Vienna, Austria, the son of famed opera star Leo Slezak. He was a medical student and later a bank teller before becoming an actor.

A hulking figure at 6'6", Slezak usually played a villain or thug, but occasionally he played lighter, kindlier roles, as in The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm. Slezak's first role was in the Berlin film Sodom and Gomorra (1922). He worked steadily and appeared in over 100 films including Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942), Lifeboat, (1944) The Princess and the Pirate (1944), The Spanish Main (1945), Sinbad the Sailor (1947), Born to Kill (1947), Call Me Madam (1953) and Treasure Island (1972).

He began his movie career as a thin leading man in many silent films, and played the lead in such Broadway musicals as Music in the Air onstage, but because he became heavier as he got older he decided to play character roles when he moved to Hollywood sound films. His autobiography, What Time's the Next Swan? was published in 1962. He also appeared on television, twice appearing as "The Clock King" on Batman in 1966.

Later in life, apparently despondent over his continuing illnesses, he committed suicide by gunshot at age 80. He was survived by three children, including daughter Erika, who has risen to fame on the soap opera, One Life to Live, a soap that Walter Slezak appeared on in 1976.