Hubert von Meyerinck
Hubert von Meyerinck was born in Potsdam on August 23, 1896, the son of a major. After his parents divorced, he was raised by his mother. From an early age he showed a strong interest in acting and began taking lessons as a child, despite his parents’ wish that he pursue a career as a priest. After completing school, he was drafted into military service during World War I but was discharged shortly afterward for health reasons. In 1917, he made his stage debut at the Berliner Schauspielhaus as Lieutenant von Hagen in "Kolberg." Following an engagement at the Hamburger Kammerspiele from 1918 to 1920, he performed at numerous Berlin theatres and variety venues, including the revue "Es liegt was in der Luft" alongside Marlene Dietrich. He earned acclaim both for his cabaret performances at the famed Tingeltangel and for dramatic stage roles such as Mephisto in "Faust" and Mackie Messer in "Die Dreigroschenoper." At the beginning of the 1920s, von Meyerinck transitioned to film. After a significant early role in Georg Jacoby’s serial "Der Mann ohne Namen," he appeared in supporting roles in silent films including Artur Robison’s "Manon Lescaut" (1926) and Wilhelm Dieterle’s "Ich lebe für Dich" (1929). His distinctive appearance—bald head, monocle, thin moustache—quickly made him recognizable, and he became a popular character actor. He was often typecast as aristocrats, bourgeois figures, authoritarian officials, eccentrics, or crooks. With the arrival of sound film, his raspy voice further defined his screen persona. Among his notable early sound films were Max Ophüls’ "Die verliebte Firma" (1931/32), Franz Wenzler’s "Wenn die Liebe Mode macht" (1932), and Kurt Gerron’s "Der weiße Dämon" (1932). During the Nazi era, he remained one of Germany’s most prolific and popular supporting actors, appearing in more than 90 productions between 1933 and 1945. These ranged from comedies such as "Ein falscher Fuffziger" (1935) to Willi Forst’s adaptation of Maupassant’s "Bel Ami" (1939) and Helmut Käutner’s "Kitty und die Weltkonferenz" (1939). He also took smaller roles in propagandistic films including "Ein Volksfeind" (1937) and "Trenck, der Pandur" (1940). Although it was widely known that he was homosexual, he was not prosecuted by the regime. In the 1950s and 1960s, von Meyerinck successfully parodied his established authoritarian image in numerous comedies. In 1957 alone he appeared in 13 films, including the popular "Der tolle Blomberg" and "Das Wirtshaus im Spessart." He received the Prize of the German Film Critics in 1960 for "Ein Mann geht durch die Wand" and again in 1961 for "Das Spukschloß im Spessart." Another highlight was his role as an exuberant aristocrat in Billy Wilder’s Cold War satire "One, Two, Three." Between 1965 and 1969, he regularly appeared as Sir Arthur, head of Scotland Yard, in the Edgar Wallace film series. Despite appearing in around 250 films, von Meyerinck remained committed to the stage and joined the ensemble of Hamburg’s Thalia Theatre in 1966. In 1968, he received a lifetime achievement award at the German Film Prize and published his memoirs. He died in Hamburg on May 13, 1971.
Filmography
Nachbarn sind zum Ärgern da
as Notar
Nachbarn sind zum Ärgern da
as Notar
When the Mad Aunts Arrive
as Herr Storz
When the Mad Aunts Arrive
as Herr Storz
Keine Angst Liebling, ich pass schon auf
as Portier vom Hotel Central
Keine Angst Liebling, ich pass schon auf
as Portier vom Hotel Central
Der Lauf des Bösen
as Kardinal
Der Lauf des Bösen
as Kardinal
Dr. med. Fabian - Lachen ist die beste Medizin
as General von Kottwitz
Dr. med. Fabian - Lachen ist die beste Medizin
as General von Kottwitz
Charleys Onkel
as Mr. Most
Charleys Onkel
as Mr. Most
Ein dreifach Hoch dem Sanitätsgefreiten Neumann
as Oberstabsarzt Dr. Treppwitz
Ein dreifach Hoch dem Sanitätsgefreiten Neumann
as Oberstabsarzt Dr. Treppwitz
The Man with the Glass Eye
as Sir Arthur
The Man with the Glass Eye
as Sir Arthur
The Gorilla Gang
as Sir Arthur
The Gorilla Gang
as Sir Arthur
Otto ist auf Frauen scharf
as Dr. Zwyfalt
Otto ist auf Frauen scharf
as Dr. Zwyfalt
Die letzten Tage der Menschheit
as Wilhelm II.
Die letzten Tage der Menschheit
as Wilhelm II.
The Zombie Walks
as Sir Arthur
The Zombie Walks
as Sir Arthur
Wenn Ludwig ins Manöver zieht
as von Below
Wenn Ludwig ins Manöver zieht
as von Below
The Cuckoo Years
as Ernst Francken
The Cuckoo Years
as Ernst Francken
Frank V. - Die Oper einer Privatbank
as Frank V.
Frank V. - Die Oper einer Privatbank
as Frank V.
Brille und Bombe - Bei uns liegen Sie richtig!
as Der Hoteldirektor
Brille und Bombe - Bei uns liegen Sie richtig!
as Der Hoteldirektor
Axel an der Himmelstür
as Direktor Scott / Richter
Axel an der Himmelstür
as Direktor Scott / Richter
The Hunchback of Soho
as General Edward Perkins
The Hunchback of Soho
as General Edward Perkins
Das sündige Dorf
as Attorney
Das sündige Dorf
as Attorney
Leben wie die Fürsten
as Anton
Leben wie die Fürsten
as Anton
Ich kauf mir lieber einen Tirolerhut
as Hubert Krempe
Ich kauf mir lieber einen Tirolerhut
as Hubert Krempe
Again the Ringer
as Judge Matthews
Again the Ringer
as Judge Matthews
Das große Ohr
as Dupont
Das große Ohr
as Dupont
They're Too Much
as Oberstaatsanwalt
They're Too Much
as Oberstaatsanwalt
Frau Luna
as Kaiser
Frau Luna
as Kaiser
Maibritt, the Girl from the Islands
as Direktor Dingelmeyer
Maibritt, the Girl from the Islands
as Direktor Dingelmeyer
… denn die Musik und die Liebe in Tirol
as Oskar Ortshaus
… denn die Musik und die Liebe in Tirol
as Oskar Ortshaus
Frauen sind keine Engel
as Charles
Frauen sind keine Engel
as Charles
Und ewig knallen die Räuber
as Herr von Merlyn
Und ewig knallen die Räuber
as Herr von Merlyn
Wenn die Musik spielt am Wörthersee
as Axel Bender, Evelyns Vater
Wenn die Musik spielt am Wörthersee
as Axel Bender, Evelyns Vater
So toll wie anno dazumal
as Mandler
So toll wie anno dazumal
as Mandler
Hochzeitsnacht im Paradies
as Gustav Säuerling
Hochzeitsnacht im Paradies
as Gustav Säuerling
Der verkaufte Großvater
as Friedrich Wilhelm Dünkelberg
Der verkaufte Großvater
as Friedrich Wilhelm Dünkelberg
The Turkish Cucumbers
as Rubin y Soliman
The Turkish Cucumbers
as Rubin y Soliman
One, Two, Three
as Count von Droste Schattenburg
One, Two, Three
as Count von Droste Schattenburg
Ein Stern fällt vom Himmel
as Rechtsanwalt
Ein Stern fällt vom Himmel
as Rechtsanwalt
Davon träumen alle Mädchen
as Schulrat
Davon träumen alle Mädchen
as Schulrat
Junge Leute brauchen Liebe
as Monsieur Terrier
Junge Leute brauchen Liebe
as Monsieur Terrier
Die Abenteuer des Grafen Bobby
as Mr. Cower
Die Abenteuer des Grafen Bobby
as Mr. Cower
The Secret Ways
as Sheffler
The Secret Ways
as Sheffler
Mein Mann, das Wirtschaftswunder
Mein Mann, das Wirtschaftswunder
Schlussakkord
Schlussakkord
The Haunted Castle
as Von Teckel
The Haunted Castle
as Von Teckel
Der Herr mit der schwarzen Melone
Der Herr mit der schwarzen Melone
Salem Aleikum
as Polizeichef Pierre Duval
Salem Aleikum
as Polizeichef Pierre Duval
The Man Who Walked Through the Wall
as Pickler - Der Bürochef
The Man Who Walked Through the Wall
as Pickler - Der Bürochef
Der lustige Krieg des Hauptmann Pedro
as Moritz von Persipan, Kriegsminister
Der lustige Krieg des Hauptmann Pedro
as Moritz von Persipan, Kriegsminister
Melodie und Rhythmus
as Orlando
Melodie und Rhythmus
as Orlando
La Paloma
as Direktor Bauer
La Paloma
as Direktor Bauer
Bobby Dodd intervenes
as Versicherungsagent
Bobby Dodd intervenes
as Versicherungsagent
Der Kaiser von Amerika
as Premierminister Proteus
Der Kaiser von Amerika
as Premierminister Proteus
...und abends in die Scala
as Alfons Spadolini
...und abends in die Scala
as Alfons Spadolini
Wenn Frauen schwindeln
as Wuttke
Wenn Frauen schwindeln
as Wuttke
Ferien auf Immenhof
as Dr. Weskamp
Ferien auf Immenhof
as Dr. Weskamp
Der tolle Bomberg
as Pastor
Der tolle Bomberg
as Pastor
Das Glück liegt auf der Straße
as Generaldirektor Kartzer
Das Glück liegt auf der Straße
as Generaldirektor Kartzer
Der müde Theodor
as Wilhelm Schulze
Der müde Theodor
as Wilhelm Schulze
Zu Befehl, Frau Feldwebel
as Kriegsgerichtsrat Kronberg
Zu Befehl, Frau Feldwebel
as Kriegsgerichtsrat Kronberg
Santa Lucia
as Tutu
Santa Lucia
as Tutu
Help - She Loves Me
as Direktor der "Elysée-Bar
Help - She Loves Me
as Direktor der "Elysée-Bar
Dany, bitte schreiben Sie
as Geschäftsführer Schnattke
Dany, bitte schreiben Sie
as Geschäftsführer Schnattke
IA in Oberbayern
as Fritz
IA in Oberbayern
as Fritz
Die Wirtin zur Goldenen Krone
as Weckenberg
Die Wirtin zur Goldenen Krone
as Weckenberg
Das Forsthaus in Tirol
as von Langer, Staatsanwalt
Das Forsthaus in Tirol
as von Langer, Staatsanwalt
Love, Dance, and 1000 Songs
as Direktor Weber
Love, Dance, and 1000 Songs
as Direktor Weber
Ball im Savoy
as Max
Ball im Savoy
as Max
Die spanische Fliege
Die spanische Fliege
Farewell Performance
as Philipp, Duc de Gramont
Farewell Performance
as Philipp, Duc de Gramont
Musik, Musik und nur Musik
as Bieberich
Musik, Musik und nur Musik
as Bieberich
An der schönen blauen Donau
as Baron Philipp
An der schönen blauen Donau
as Baron Philipp
Die verschwundene Miniatur
as Räuber
Die verschwundene Miniatur
as Räuber
Hochstaplerin der Liebe
as Meister Philippe
Hochstaplerin der Liebe
as Meister Philippe
Ten on Every Finger
as Director des Lido
Ten on Every Finger
as Director des Lido
Keine Angst vor Schwiegermüttern
Keine Angst vor Schwiegermüttern
Columbus Discovers Kraehwinkel
as Polizeipräsident a. D. von Regwitz
Columbus Discovers Kraehwinkel
as Polizeipräsident a. D. von Regwitz
Not Afraid of Big Animals
as Kunstreiter
Not Afraid of Big Animals
as Kunstreiter
They Call It Love
as Balancourt
They Call It Love
as Balancourt
Knall und Fall als Detektive
as Stapler
Knall und Fall als Detektive
as Stapler
Von Liebe reden wir später
as Herr Wilmar, Inhaber Kosmetik-Salon
Von Liebe reden wir später
as Herr Wilmar, Inhaber Kosmetik-Salon
Fanfaren der Ehe
as Hornisse
Fanfaren der Ehe
as Hornisse
I'm Waiting for You
as Studienrat Schwarze
I'm Waiting for You
as Studienrat Schwarze
Liebe im Finanzamt
as Herr vom Empfang
Liebe im Finanzamt
as Herr vom Empfang
That Can Happen to Anyone
as Walputzke
That Can Happen to Anyone
as Walputzke
Klettermaxe
as Dobnika
Klettermaxe
as Dobnika
The Thief of Bagdad
as Hussa Hussa
The Thief of Bagdad
as Hussa Hussa
Der bunte Traum
as Brandini
Der bunte Traum
as Brandini
Das späte Mädchen
as Buchhändler
Das späte Mädchen
as Buchhändler
The Women of Mr. S.
as Korinthischer General
The Women of Mr. S.
as Korinthischer General
Hilfe, ich bin unsichtbar
as Professor Orsini
Hilfe, ich bin unsichtbar
as Professor Orsini
Engel im Abendkleid
as Dr. Paulicke
Engel im Abendkleid
as Dr. Paulicke
The Midnight Venus
as Director Meyer
The Midnight Venus
as Director Meyer
Wer bist Du, den ich liebe?
as Zauberer
Wer bist Du, den ich liebe?
as Zauberer
Die Sterne lügen nicht
as Baron v. Malachowsky alias Emil Branske
Die Sterne lügen nicht
as Baron v. Malachowsky alias Emil Branske
Das Mädchen aus der Südsee
Das Mädchen aus der Südsee
Der Mann, der sich selber sucht
as Direktor Cattoni
Der Mann, der sich selber sucht
as Direktor Cattoni
Maharadscha wider Willen
as Knirps - Generalsekretärs des Wunderfriseurs
Maharadscha wider Willen
as Knirps - Generalsekretärs des Wunderfriseurs
My Niece Suzanne
as Oscar
My Niece Suzanne
as Oscar
Kein Engel ist so rein
as Mohrbutter
Kein Engel ist so rein
as Mohrbutter
Unknown Sender
as Schmoll, Lehrer
Unknown Sender
as Schmoll, Lehrer
Der große Fall
as Ein dunkler Ehrenmann
Der große Fall
as Ein dunkler Ehrenmann
Kätchen für alles
as Ein Herr
Kätchen für alles
as Ein Herr
Palace Scandal
Palace Scandal
Blockierte Signale
as Der Baron
Blockierte Signale
as Der Baron
The Adventures of Fridolin
as Der falsche Biedermann
The Adventures of Fridolin
as Der falsche Biedermann
Tell the Truth
Tell the Truth
I Have Dreamed of You
as Empfangschef
I Have Dreamed of You
as Empfangschef
Leichtes Blut
as Möllendorf
Leichtes Blut
as Möllendorf
Münchhausen
as Prinz Anton Ulrich
Münchhausen
as Prinz Anton Ulrich
Diesel
as Herr von Lorrenz
Diesel
as Herr von Lorrenz
Der große Schatten
as Schauspieler Voß
Der große Schatten
as Schauspieler Voß
Weiße Wäsche
Weiße Wäsche
Was geschah in dieser Nacht?
as Werner Gebhardt
Was geschah in dieser Nacht?
as Werner Gebhardt
The Heart of a Queen
as Sir John
The Heart of a Queen
as Sir John
The Rothschilds
as Vitrolles
The Rothschilds
as Vitrolles
The Star of Rio
as Monsieur Louis Borinage
The Star of Rio
as Monsieur Louis Borinage
Her Private Secretary
as Auktionator
Her Private Secretary
as Auktionator
Leidenschaft
as Graf Christian
Leidenschaft
as Graf Christian
Robert Koch, der Bekämpfer des Todes
as Fähnrich Graf
Robert Koch, der Bekämpfer des Todes
as Fähnrich Graf
Maria Ilona
as Pizzi
Maria Ilona
as Pizzi
A Woman Like You
as Verkäufer im Sportgeschäft
A Woman Like You
as Verkäufer im Sportgeschäft
Wibbel the Tailor
as Knillich
Wibbel the Tailor
as Knillich
Salonwagen E 417
Salonwagen E 417
Salonwagen E 417
Salonwagen E 417
The Leghorn Hat
as Herzog von Rosalba
The Leghorn Hat
as Herzog von Rosalba
Bel Ami
as Varenne
Bel Ami
as Varenne
Women for Golden Hill
as Tanzmanager
Women for Golden Hill
as Tanzmanager
Nanu, Sie kennen Korff noch nicht?
as Reporter Droste
Nanu, Sie kennen Korff noch nicht?
as Reporter Droste
After Midnight
as Ricin
After Midnight
as Ricin
Fanny Elssler
as Polizeipräfekt
Fanny Elssler
as Polizeipräfekt
An Enemy of the People
as Redakteur Fink
An Enemy of the People
as Redakteur Fink
Der Unwiderstehliche
as Marquis de Rossignol
Der Unwiderstehliche
as Marquis de Rossignol
Versprich mir nichts!
as Dr. Elk
Versprich mir nichts!
as Dr. Elk
The Voice of the Heart
as Kammerdiener der Prinzessin
The Voice of the Heart
as Kammerdiener der Prinzessin
Thou Art My Joy
as Dr.Hofreuter - Rechtsanwalt
Thou Art My Joy
as Dr.Hofreuter - Rechtsanwalt
All for Veronica
as Theo
All for Veronica
as Theo
Familienparade
as Vetter Max
Familienparade
as Vetter Max
Paul und Pauline
as Apotheker Knullingen
Paul und Pauline
as Apotheker Knullingen
Love Whispers
as Lenoir
Love Whispers
as Lenoir
Hangmen, Women, and Soldiers
as Rittmeister Lensberg
Hangmen, Women, and Soldiers
as Rittmeister Lensberg
Königstiger
as Vicomte d'Aubert
Königstiger
as Vicomte d'Aubert
If It Were Not for Music
as Kusjmitsch von Prschitschkin
If It Were Not for Music
as Kusjmitsch von Prschitschkin
The King's Prisoner
as Von Beichlingen
The King's Prisoner
as Von Beichlingen
Ein ganzer Kerl
as Baron von Petersen
Ein ganzer Kerl
as Baron von Petersen
Barcarole
as Lopuchin
Barcarole
as Lopuchin
Everything for a Woman
as Maxwell, ein dunkler Ehrenmann
Everything for a Woman
as Maxwell, ein dunkler Ehrenmann
Winter Night's Dream
as Degenfels
Winter Night's Dream
as Degenfels
She and the Three
as André Nicol
She and the Three
as André Nicol
A Woman Who Knows What She Wants
as Banker Lyngel
A Woman Who Knows What She Wants
as Banker Lyngel
The Island
as Graf Squeelen, erster Botschaftsrat
The Island
as Graf Squeelen, erster Botschaftsrat
Die große Chance
as Georg
Die große Chance
as Georg
The World Without a Mask
as E.W. Costa
The World Without a Mask
as E.W. Costa
Der Störenfried
Der Störenfried
The Fugitive from Chicago
as Werner Dux
The Fugitive from Chicago
as Werner Dux
Her Highness the Saleswoman
as Paul
Her Highness the Saleswoman
as Paul
A Certain Mr. Gran
as Hauptmann Gordon
A Certain Mr. Gran
as Hauptmann Gordon
The Night of the Great Love
as Konsulatssekretär
The Night of the Great Love
as Konsulatssekretär
Manolescu, der Fürst der Diebe
as Der Kellner im Hotel Ritz
Manolescu, der Fürst der Diebe
as Der Kellner im Hotel Ritz
Wenn die Liebe Mode macht
as Mr. Farell
Wenn die Liebe Mode macht
as Mr. Farell
Kampf
as Schneckendorf
Kampf
as Schneckendorf
The Black Hussar
as Darmont's Cook
The Black Hussar
as Darmont's Cook
For Once I'd Like to Have No Troubles
as Görner
For Once I'd Like to Have No Troubles
as Görner
The Theft of the Mona Lisa
as Museumsführer
The Theft of the Mona Lisa
as Museumsführer
The Holy Flames
as Pastor
The Holy Flames
as Pastor
The Flute Concert of Sans-souci
as Attché
The Flute Concert of Sans-souci
as Attché
Terra Melophon Magazin Nr. 1
as Count
Terra Melophon Magazin Nr. 1
as Count
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria
Ludwig II, King of Bavaria
Three Around Edith
as Scherbe
Three Around Edith
as Scherbe
The Secret Courier
as Duc d'Orléans
The Secret Courier
as Duc d'Orléans
Under the Lantern
as Nevin
Under the Lantern
as Nevin
Die Hotelratte
as 3. Ehemann
Die Hotelratte
as 3. Ehemann
The Old Fritz II
as Graf Cobenzl
The Old Fritz II
as Graf Cobenzl
Lady Juan
as Poet Don Alfonso
Lady Juan
as Poet Don Alfonso
Brennende Grenze
as Heino
Brennende Grenze
as Heino
People Among Us
as Man on Party
People Among Us
as Man on Party
Manon Lescaut
as Der Junge de Bli
Manon Lescaut
as Der Junge de Bli