Brittle-voiced German actress, often seen in maternal roles. On stage from 1911. Long theatrical residencies in Leipzig (1915-19; 1937-44) and Berlin (1945-49). She was the first actress to play "Mother Courage" in the play by Bertold Brecht. In films from 1922, leading roles by the mid-1930's. Reached her peak as a character actress in the post-war period, culminating with her performance in
Lina Braake (1975). A noted voice-over artist, she also synchronised for English-speaking players like Margaret Rutherford, Florence Bates and Sybil Thorndike.