Paul Joseph Verhoeven (23 June 1901 – 22 March 1975) was a German actor, as well as film and theatre director.

Early life

Verhoeven was born in the town of

Unna Unna () is a city of around 59,000 people in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the seat of the Unna (district), Unna district. The newly refurbished Unna station has trains to all major cities in North Rhine Westphalia including Dortmund, Köln H ...

. He had 13 siblings. The family lived in modest circumstances.

Career

He directed and acted in over 50 films. He wrote over 20 film scripts, the first of which was '' Das kleine Hofkonzert'' in 1935, an

operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs and including dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, and length of the work. Apart from its shorter length, the oper ...

with music by

Edmund Nick Edmund Nick (, Reichenberg – , Geretsried) was a German composer, conductor, and music writer. Biography The son of a merchant, Nick studied law from 1910 to 1915 in Vienna and Graz. At the same time, he studied music at the Vienna Music Acade ...

based on a comedy by Verhoeven and

Toni Impekoven Toni Impekoven (21 June 1881 – 6 May 1947) was a German actor and writer. Impekoven was a popular playwright, who co-authored the hit comedy '' The Scoundrel'' with Hans Reimann. The play was turned into films on two occasions.Goble p. 748 H ...

. From 1945 to 1948 he was

artistic director An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company or dance company, who handles the organization's artistic direction. They are generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogu ...

at the

Residenz Theatre The Residence Theatre (in German: Residenztheater) or New Residence Theatre (Neues Residenztheater) of the Residence in Munich was built from 1950 to 1951 by Karl Hocheder. The renovation of 1981 by Alexander von Branca removed the decoration w ...

/Staatsschauspiel in

Munich Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, Germany. As of 30 November 2024, its population was 1,604,384, making it the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. Munich is the largest city in Germany that is no ...

Personal life and death

Verhoeven was married to the actress Doris Kiesow, with whom he had three children:

Lis Verhoeven Lis Verhoeven (also spelled Liz Verhoeven) (11 March 1931 in Frankfurt am Main – 2 July 2019) was a German actress and theatre director. Verhoeven was the daughter of Paul Verhoeven. She was the first wife of Mario Adorf Mario Adorf (; bo ...

, who became an actress and was the first wife of

Mario Adorf Mario Adorf (; born 8 September 1930) is a German actor, considered to be one of the great veteran character actors of European cinema. Since 1954, he has played both leading and supporting roles in over 200 film and television productions, am ...

;

Michael Verhoeven Michael Alexander Verhoeven (13 July 1938 – 22 April 2024) was a German film director, screenwriter, film and television producer, and actor. He was also a qualified Doctor of Medicine. He was considered a political filmmaker. Biography Mic ...

, who became a film director and married

Senta Berger Senta Verhoeven (née Berger; ''Austrian German:'' , ; born 13 May 1941) is an Austrian-German actress. She received many award nominations for her acting in theatre, film, and television; her awards include three Bambi (prize), Bambi Awards, t ...

; and Monika Verhoeven. From his relationship with the actress

Edith Schultze-Westrum Edith Käthe Elisabeth Schultze-Westrum (30 December 1904 – 20 March 1981) was a German film actress. She appeared in more than 60 films between 1932 and 1979. These included the role of Mrs. Hudson in the 1962 film ''Sherlock Holmes and ...

, he had a son, Thomas Schultze-Westrum, who became a zoologist and maker of animal documentaries. Paul Verhoeven died on stage of a heart attack in 1975 while delivering the

eulogy A eulogy (from , ''eulogia'', Classical Greek, ''eu'' for "well" or "true", ''logia'' for "words" or "text", together for "praise") is a speech or writing in praise of a person, especially one who recently died or retired, or as a term o ...

for the recently deceased actress

Therese Giehse Therese Giehse (; 6 March 1898 – 3 March 1975), born Therese Gift, was a German actress. Born in Munich to German-Jewish parents, she first appeared on the stage in 1920. She became a major star on stage, in films, and in political cabaret. In ...

at the

Munich Kammerspiele The Munich Kammerspiele (German: Münchner Kammerspiele) is a state-funded German-language theater company based at the ''Schauspielhaus'' on Maximilianstraße (Munich), Maximilianstrasse in the Bavarian capital. The company currently has three ...

. He was buried in the

Munich Waldfriedhof The Munich Waldfriedhof is one of 29 cemeteries of Munich in Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the largest and most famous burial sites of the city, known for its park-like design and tombs of notable personalities. The Waldfriedhof is considered th ...

next to his wife.

Selected filmography

Actor

* 1936: ''

Der Kaiser von Kalifornien ''Der Kaiser von Kalifornien'' (English: ''The Emperor of California''), is a 1936 film that was the first Western film made in Nazi Germany. Some exterior scenes were shot on location in the United States at Sedona, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, an ...

'' (dir.

Luis Trenker Luis Trenker (born Alois Franz Trenker, 4 October 1892 – 12 April 1990) was a South Tyrolean film producer, director, writer, actor, architect, alpinist, and bobsledder. Biography Early life Alois Franz Trenker was born on 4 October 1892 in ...

), as Barmixer Billy * 1938: '' The Stars Shine'' (dir. Hans H. Zerlett), as Gebauer * 1940: ''

The Three Codonas ''The Three Codonas'' () is a 1940 German drama film directed by Arthur Maria Rabenalt and starring René Deltgen, Ernst von Klipstein and Josef Sieber. It is based on the life of the circus performer Alfredo Codona. It was made by Tobis Film, ...

'' (dir.

Arthur Maria Rabenalt Arthur Maria Rabenalt (25 June 1905 – 26 February 1993) was an Austrian film director, writer, and author. He directed more than 90 films between 1934 and 1978. His 1958 film ''That Won't Keep a Sailor Down'' was entered into the 1st Moscow In ...

), as Juwelen-Max * 1959: ''

People in the Net ''People in the Net'' (), also known as ''Unwilling Agent'', is a 1959 West German Cold War spy film directed by Franz Peter Wirth and starring Hansjörg Felmy, Johanna von Koczian and Hannes Messemer.Bock & Bergfelder p. 306 The film's sets wer ...

'' (dir.

Franz Peter Wirth Franz Peter Wirth (22 September 1919 in Munich – 17 October 1999 in Berg, Upper Bavaria) was a German film director and screenwriter. His film '' Helden'' was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1958. Selected fil ...

), as Karel * 1961: ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...

'' (dir.

, TV film), as Gravedigger * 1965: ' (dir.

Peter Beauvais Peter Beauvais (September 9, 1916 in Weißenstadt, Germany – December 17, 1986 in Baden-Baden, Germany) was a German television film director and scriptwriter. As a director for three decades, he helped pioneer and significantly influenced the de ...

, TV film), as

Bernhard Lichtenberg Bernhard Lichtenberg (; 3 December 1875 – 5 November 1943) was a German Catholic priest known for his outspoken opposition to the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jews and other marginalized groups during the Holocaust. He became a notable s ...

* 1967: '' The Dance of Death'' (dir.

), as Edgar * 1968: ' (dir.

, TV miniseries, based on

Francis Durbridge Francis Henry Durbridge (; 25 November 1912 – 10 April 1998) was an English dramatist and author, best known for the creation of the character Paul Temple, the gentlemanly detective who appeared in 16 BBC multi-part radio serials from 1 ...

), as Samuel Fielding * 1968: ' (dir. Wolfgang Becker, TV miniseries), as Körner * 1969: ' (dir.

, TV film), as Harro Hassenreuter, former theatrical manager * 1973: ' (dir.

), as Monsignore Berghammer

Director

Film * 1937: ' * 1938: ''Der Tag nach der Scheidung'' * 1938: ''Unsere kleine Frau'' (German-language version) ** 1938: ''Mia moglie si diverte'' (Italian-language version) * 1939: ''Salonwagen E 417'' * 1939: ''

Renate in the Quartet ''Renate in the Quartet'' () is a 1939 German musical comedy film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Käthe von Nagy, Hans Brausewetter and Gustav Fröhlich.Hake p. 198 It is based on a novel by Geog Albrecht von Ihering. Synopsis When a fe ...

'' * 1939: ''

Gold in New Frisco ''Gold in New Frisco'' is a 1939 German adventure film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Hans Söhnker, Alexander Golling, and Otto Wernicke. It was one of a number of western-themed films made in Germany during the late 1930s including ...

'' * 1940: ''Aus erster Ehe'' * 1942: ''Die Nacht in Venedig'' * 1942: ''

The Rainer Case ''The Rainer Case'' () is a 1942 German drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Luise Ullrich, Paul Hubschmid and Karl Schönböck.Bock & Bergfelder p. 386 The film's sets were designed by the art directors Franz Bi and Botho Hoefer. ...

'' * 1942: ''Der große Schatten'' * 1943: ''Ein glücklicher Mensch'' * 1944: ''Das Konzert'' * 1944: ''Philharmoniker'' * 1948: ''

The Court Concert ''The Court Concert'' () is a 1936 German historical film, historical romantic comedy film directed by Douglas Sirk, Detlef Sierck (later known as Douglas Sirk), and starring Mártha Eggerth, Johannes Heesters, and Kurt Meisel.Hake p. 142 It was ...

'' * 1949: ''Du bist nicht allein'' * 1950: '' This Man Belongs to Me'' * 1950: '' Heart of Stone'' * 1951: ''Eva im Frack'' * 1951: '' The Guilt of Doctor Homma'' * 1951: ''

A Heidelberg Romance ''A Heidelberg Romance'' () is a 1951 West German romance film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Liselotte Pulver, O.W. Fischer and Gardy Granass. The film set a template for portraying German-American relations.Stephan p.163 The film's s ...

'' * 1952: ''

A Very Big Child ''A Very Big Child'' ( ) is a 1952 West German comedy film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Georg Thomalla, Angelika Hauff and Gardy Granass.Osterland p. 114 It was shot at the Göttingen Studios as well as on location around Wiesbaden an ...

'' * 1952: '' That Can Happen to Anyone'' * 1953: ' * 1953: ''

Don't Forget Love ''Don't Forget Love'' () is a 1953 West German romantic comedy film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Luise Ullrich, Paul Dahlke and Will Quadflieg.Hake p.259 It was shot at the Wandsbek Studios as well as on location in Hamburg and Innsb ...

'' * 1953: '' Wedding in Transit'' * 1954: ''

A Woman of Today ''A Woman of Today'' () is a 1954 West German drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Luise Ullrich, Curd Jürgens and Carsta Löck.Berghahn p. 177 It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich with location footage at the Brenner Pas ...

'' * 1954: ''Hoheit lassen bitten'' * 1954: ''

The Eternal Waltz ''The Eternal Waltz'' () is a 1954 West German drama film dramatizing the life of Johann Strauss II.Bock & Bergfelder p. 529 The initial story was written by Hanns Marschall and Ruth Charlotte Silbermann, and the film itself was written by Alexan ...

'' * 1955: ''

I Know What I'm Living For ''I Know What I'm Living For'' (German: ''Ich weiß, wofür ich lebe'') is a 1955 West German drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven (German director), Paul Verhoeven and starring Luise Ullrich, Robert Freitag and Lil Dagover.Holmstrom p.249 It was ...

'' * 1955: ''Roman einer Siebzehnjährigen'' * 1956: ''

The Golden Bridge ''The Golden Bridge'' () is a 1956 West German drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Ruth Leuwerik, Curd Jürgens and Paul Hubschmid.Bock & Bergfelder p.282 It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich. The film's sets were designe ...

'' * 1956: ''

Like Once Lili Marleen ''Like Once Lili Marleen'' (German: ''...wie einst Lili Marleen'') is a 1956 West German romantic drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Adrian Hoven, Marianne Hold and Claus Holm.Lehrke p.128 The title refers to the popular wartime ...

'' * 1957: ''Jede Nacht in einem anderen Bett'' * 1957: ''Von allen geliebt'' * 1960: '' The Juvenile Judge'' * 1962: ''

Her Most Beautiful Day ''Her Most Beautiful Day'' () is a 1962 West German comedy drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Inge Meysel, Rudolf Platte and Brigitte Grothum.Bock & Bergfelder p.553 The film's sets were designed by the art director Emil Hasler a ...

'' Television * 1957: ''Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk'' — (based on ''

The Good Soldier Švejk ''The Good Soldier Švejk'' () is an unfinished satirical dark comedy novel by Czech writer Jaroslav Hašek, published in 1921–1923, about a good-humored, simple-minded, middle-aged man who appears to be enthusiastic to serve Austria-Hungary i ...

'' by

Jaroslav Hašek Jaroslav Hašek (; 1883–1923) was a Czechs, Czech writer, Humorism, humorist, Satire, satirist, journalist, Bohemianism, bohemian, first anarchist and then communist, and commissar of the Red Army against the Czechoslovak Legion. He is best k ...

) * 1957: ''Der geheimnisvolle Dr. Mander'' — (based on a radio play by Michael Brett) * 1957: ''Die Fee'' — (based on '' The Good Fairy'' by

Ferenc Molnár Ferenc Molnár ( , ; born Ferenc Neumann; January 12, 1878April 1, 1952), often anglicized as Franz Molnar, was a Hungarians, Hungarian-born author, stage director, dramatist, and poet. He is widely regarded as Hungary's most celebrated and c ...

) * 1958: ''Die letzte Station'' — (based on a play by

Erich Maria Remarque Erich Maria Remarque (; ; born Erich Paul Remark; 22 June 1898 – 25 September 1970) was a German novelist. His landmark novel '' All Quiet on the Western Front'' (1928), based on his experience in the Imperial German Army during World War ...

) * 1958: ''Die selige Edwina Black'' — (based on the play ''The Late Edwina Black'' by William Dinner and William Morum) * 1958: ''Dr. med. Hiob Praetorius'' — (based on a play by

Curt Goetz Curt Goetz (; 17 November 1888 – 12 September 1960), born Kurt Walter Götz, was a Swiss German writer, actor and film director. He was regarded as one of the most brilliant German comedy writers of his time. With his wife Valerie von Martens, ...

) * 1959: ''Die Troerinnen des Euripides'' — (based on ''

The Trojan Women ''The Trojan Women'' (, lit. "The Female Trojans") is a tragedy by the Ancient Greece, Greek playwright Euripides, produced in 415 BCE. Also translated as ''The Women of Troy,'' or as its transliterated Greek title ''Troades, The Trojan Women'' ...

'') * 1959: ''Nachtasyl'' — (based on the play ''

The Lower Depths ''The Lower Depths'' (, literally: ''At the bottom'') is a play by Russian dramatist Maxim Gorky written in 1902 and produced by the Moscow Arts Theatre on December 18, 1902, under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski. It became his first ma ...

'' by

Maxim Gorky Alexei Maximovich Peshkov (; – 18 June 1936), popularly known as Maxim Gorky (; ), was a Russian and Soviet writer and proponent of socialism. He was nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Before his success as an aut ...

) * 1960: ''Der Fehltritt'' — (based on a play by Glen Bohannan and

Andrew Solt Andrew Solt (born 13 December 1947) is a British-born American producer, director, and writer of documentary films. Solt has had a long career in television. A frequent focus of his documentaries is rock and roll music, its history and star pe ...

) * 1960: ''Die große Wut des Philipp Hotz'' — (based on a play by

Max Frisch Max Rudolf Frisch (; 15 May 1911 – 4 April 1991) was a Swiss playwright and novelist. Frisch's works focused on problems of identity (social science), identity, individuality, Moral responsibility, responsibility, morality, and political commi ...

) * 1960: ''Das Lied der Taube'' — (based on the play '' The Voice of the Turtle'' by

John Van Druten John William Van Druten (1 June 190119 December 1957) was an English playwright and theatre director. He began his career in London, and later moved to America, becoming a U.S. citizen. He was known for his plays of witty and urbane observations ...

) * 1961: ''Froher Herbst des Lebens'' — (based on the play ''Alice Sit-by-the-Fire'' by

J. M. Barrie Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succe ...

) * 1961: ''Die Sache mit dem Ring'' — (based on the play ''The Ring of Truth'' by

Wynyard Browne Wynyard Barry Browne (6 October 1911 – 19 February 1964) was an English dramatist, playwright and screenwriter Biography He was born in London in 1911, and educated at Marlborough and Christ's College, Cambridge. His plays include '' T ...

) * 1962: ''Seit Adam und Eva'' — (based on the play ''

Ever Since Paradise ''Ever Since Paradise'' is a 1946 comedy play by the British writer J.B. Priestley. It premiered at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield in August 1946. The following June it transferred to the New Theatre in London's West End where it ran for 165 ...

'' by J. B. Priestley) * 1962: ''Bedaure, falsch verbunden'' — (based on the radio play ''Sorry, Wrong Number'' by Lucille Fletcher) * 1962: ''Peter Pan'' — (based on ''

Peter Pan Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythical ...

'' by

) * 1963: ''Mamselle Nitouche'' — (based on the operetta '' Mam'zelle Nitouche'') * 1963: ''Clothes Make the Man'' — (based on '' Clothes Make the Man'' by

Gottfried Keller Gottfried Keller (19 July 1819 – 15 July 1890) was a Swiss poet and writer of German literature. Best known for his novel '' Green Henry'' (German: ''Der grüne Heinrich'') and his cycle of novellas called '' Seldwyla Folks'' (''Die Leute von Se ...

) * 1963: ''Geliebt in Rom'' * 1964: ''Frau Warrens Gewerbe'' — (based on ''

Mrs. Warren's Profession ''Mrs. Warren's Profession'' is a play written by George Bernard Shaw in 1893, and first performed in London in 1902. It is one of the three plays Shaw published as ''Plays Unpleasant'' in 1898, alongside ''The Philanderer'' and '' Widowers' H ...

'' by

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 188 ...

) * 1964: ''Zweierlei Maß'' — (based on

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

's ''

Measure for Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604. It was published in the First Folio of 1623. The play centers on the despotic and puritan Angelo (Measure for ...

'') * 1965: ''Vor Nachbarn wird gewarnt'' — (based on the play ''Meet a Body'' by

Frank Launder Frank Launder (28 January 1906 – 23 February 1997) was a British writer, film director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat. Early life and career He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, ...

and

Sidney Gilliat Sidney Gilliat (15 February 1908 – 31 May 1994) was an English film director, producer and writer. In the 1930s he worked as a scriptwriter, most notably with Frank Launder on ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1938) for Alfred Hitchcock, and '' Nig ...

) * 1966: ''Der Fall Jeanne d'Arc'' * 1966: ''Der Fall Mata Hari'' * 1967: ''Liebe für Liebe'' (co-director:

Hans Schweikart Hans Schweikart (1 October 1895 – 1 December 1975) was a German film director, actor and screenwriter. He directed 28 films between 1938 and 1968. He wrote for the film '' The Marriage of Mr. Mississippi'', which was entered into the 11th ...

) — (based on ''

Love for Love ''Love for Love'' is a Restoration comedy written by English playwright William Congreve. It premiered on 30 April 1695 at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. Staged by Thomas Betterton's company the original cast included Betterton as Valenti ...

'' by

William Congreve William Congreve (24 January 1670 – 19 January 1729) was an English playwright, satirist, poet, and Whig politician. He spent most of his career between London and Dublin, and was noted for his highly polished style of writing, being regard ...

) * 1967: ''Der Panamaskandal'' * 1967: ''Gottes zweite Garnitur'' — (based on a novel by Willi Heinrich) * 1971: ''The Hitler/Ludendorff Trial: Scenes From a High Treason Trial in a Republic Without Republicans'' * 1972: ''Verdacht gegen Barry Croft'' — (based on a play by

Scott Forbes Conrad Scott Forbes (11 September 1920 – 25 February 1997), popularly known as Scott Forbes, was a British film and television actor and screenwriter. In his later career as a screenwriter, he was credited as C. Scott Forbes. Early year ...

)

Screenwriter

* 1936: ''

'' (dir.

Douglas Sirk Douglas Sirk (born Hans Detlef Sierck; 26 April 1897 – 14 January 1987) was a German film director best known for his work in Hollywood (film industry), Hollywood melodramas of the 1950s. However, he also directed comedies, westerns, and war f ...

)

References

Documentary film

* ''Die Verhoevens'', 2003 (documentary film by Felix Moeller, Germany; 75 minutes)

External links

* 1901 births 1975 deaths 20th-century German male actors People from Unna Male actors from North Rhine-Westphalia German male film actors German male television actors {{Germany-screen-actor-stub