Entertainer. Born in Riga, Latvia, he studied to be a professional pianist and served as piano player in the marine orchestra after being drafted during World War II. After the war, he took a job at a northwest German public radio station and began his career as an entertainer with an affinity for comical puns and poems. He soon became popular public figure, performing as a comedian or a mime, on stages and in films all over Europe. His film credits include "The Viking Who Became a Bigamist" (1969), "That Can't Shake Will!" (1970), "Our Willi is the Best" (1971) and "Willi Manages the Whole Thing" (1972). He received the prestigious German Distinguished Service Cross, just four days before his death from a stroke in Hamburg, Germany.
Entertainer. Born in Riga, Latvia, he studied to be a professional pianist and served as piano player in the marine orchestra after being drafted during World War II. After the war, he took a job at a northwest German public radio station and began his career as an entertainer with an affinity for comical puns and poems. He soon became popular public figure, performing as a comedian or a mime, on stages and in films all over Europe. His film credits include "The Viking Who Became a Bigamist" (1969), "That Can't Shake Will!" (1970), "Our Willi is the Best" (1971) and "Willi Manages the Whole Thing" (1972). He received the prestigious German Distinguished Service Cross, just four days before his death from a stroke in Hamburg, Germany.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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