He was notorious for mumbling in many of his films. It has also been stated that he seemed incapable of suppressing a certain amount of narcissism and arrogance.
Began his career with Max Reinhardt's stage company.
His breakthrough in Hollywood failed, although he was signed to star
with June Allyson in My Man Godfrey (1957). When he reportedly lost his memory during
filming, he was replaced by David Niven.
Being one half of German cinema's dream couple with Maria Schell in the
1950s, he became the best paid actor in Germany at that time.
Moved to Vernate, Switzerland with his wife Anna in the 1960s.