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Karl Stepanek

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1899-10-27

Day of Death

1980-12-25

Place of Birth

Brünn, Moravia, Austria-Hungary [now Brno, Czech Republic]

Karl Stepanek

Biography

Though born in Czechoslovakia, actor Karel Stepanek was generally regarded as a German actor due to his extensive film work in Germany (as Karl Stepanek) in the years before World War II. Stepanek fled to England in 1940, where, like many European refugee actors, he specialized in portraying Teutonic villains. He tried to stay away from out-and-out Nazi roles, but his predilection for wearing black uniforms and barking out guttural commands left little doubt as to the political preferences of Stepanek's screen characters. One of his most typical characterizations could be found in the 1946 POW drama, The Captive Heart; Stepanek also registered well as a friendlier foreigner in The Fallen Idol (1949). Commuting between London and Hollywood, Karel Stepanek continued to fight World War II, usually on the wrong side, into such '60s films as Sink the Bismarck! (1960), I Aim at the Stars (1960) and Operation Crossbow (1965).

Filmography (70)

⭐ 0 Role: Unknown

The Heroes of Telemark: Location report from Norway

2003
⭐ 7.4 Role: Kubitsek

The Games

1970
⭐ 5.7 Role: Mueller

The File of the Golden Goose

1969
⭐ 6.0 Role: Count Kerassy

Before Winter Comes

1969
⭐ 8.8 Role: Dyers

Murderers Club of Brooklyn

1967
⭐ 5.2 Role: General Lubeck

The Frozen Dead

1966
⭐ 4.2 Role: Inspector Wagner

Sperrbezirk

1966
⭐ 6.9 Role: Hartmuller

The Heroes of Telemark

1965
⭐ 7.0 Role: Henrik Jacobsen

Licensed to Kill

1965
⭐ 6.7 Role: Prof. Hoffer

Operation Crossbow

1965
⭐ 4.7 Role: Dr. Heller

Devil Doll

1964
No Image
⭐ 0 Role: Jawor Stranski

Aufstand der Gehorsamen

1963
⭐ 6.9 Role: Baranow

Brainwashed

1960
⭐ 6.9 Role: Admiral Lutjens - 'Bismarck'

Sink the Bismarck!

1960
⭐ 6.7 Role: Dr. Braun

Our Man in Havana

1960