Son of Austrian parents, born into an atmosphere of theater. His father was Max Reinhardt's associate. Came with a "Kindertransport" to England, later went to Ireland to study art. His first experience was with a Belfast repertory company. During the war, he served with the Irish Fusiliers, after his London West End debut in "The Perfect Woman" (1948), there followed dramatic and revue credits and twenty film roles. Moved in 1957 to the States, had a lot of Broadway and off-Broadway appearances in New York, won 1959 Clarence Derwent - and 1964 Obi Award. He has been visiting professor at Yale, Boston University and Carnegie Mellon. Long time resident of California, television audiences have seen him in a variety of dramatic and comic roles, film credits include featured and co-starring roles. Moved in 1991 to Vienna, worked there with director and play writer George Tabori for nine years, retired from theater and film work and lived since 2000 in Berlin.