Otto Kruger

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Otto Kruger (born September 6, 1885 in Toledo , Ohio , † September 6, 1974 in Woodland Hills , Los Angeles , California ) was an American actor .

life and career

Otto Krüger was born as the great-nephew of long-time South African President Paul Kruger and was of German origin. As a child he tried his hand at first as a musician, then as an actor. He first appeared on Broadway at the age of 15 and soon had greater success there. In 1915 Kruger made his film debut in The Runaway Wife in a minor supporting role. In the 1930s, Kruger reached the height of his popularity and appeared on the side of Myrna Loy in The Boxer and the Lady , with whom he also played in Thin Man, 3rd Case in 1939 . Kruger mainly played elegant villains or authority figures in films, but occasionally he also had more personable roles. He was mostly involved in thrillers and melodramas , but also went on a foray into the horror genre with Dracula's daughter (1936) . In Dracula's Daughter , Krüger played the main role of the psychologist Jeffrey Garth, who had to defend himself against the mysterious daughter of Dracula.

In the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Saboteurs in 1942 he played the villain role of the wealthy ranch owner Charles Tobin, who initially appeared as a respectable citizen, but at the same time worked with the National Socialists. Two years later, Kruger could be seen in The Goddess Dances , who as a publisher recognizes his childhood sweetheart in Rita Hayworth's character. In 1952 he played the justice of the peace Percy Kittrick in Fred Zinnemann's western classic Twelve Noon, who is fleeing from the city from a group of bandits. Two years later, Kruger played the role of the painter Edward Randolph in Douglas Sirk's melodrama The Wonderful Power alongside Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson . Kruger also appeared in some television series such as Dr. Kildare (1962) or Bonanza (1963) before he left for private life in 1964.

Otto Kruger died in 1974 on his 89th birthday after several strokes . He had been married to the stage actress Sue MacManamy since 1920, their daughter Ottilie Kruger (1926-2005) also became an actress.

Honors

Kruger has two stars on the Walk of Fame for feature films on 1735 Vine Street and for television films on 6331 Hollywood Boulevard .

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Kruger, Otto
BRIEF DESCRIPTION US-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH September 6, 1885
PLACE OF BIRTH Toledo , Ohio
DATE OF DEATH September 6, 1974
Place of death Woodland Hills , Los Angeles , California