Gustav Frhlich

Gustav Fröhlich (1902–1987) was a German actor and film director who gained prominence during the Weimar Republic. Born illegitimate in Hanover, he was raised by foster parents. Before acting, he worked as a newspaper editor and novelist. During World War I, he served in occupied Brussels as a press supervisor.

Fröhlich's stage career began in the 1920s at minor German theaters, leading to notable roles such as The Prince of Homburg under Max Reinhardt. His breakthrough film role was Freder Fredersen in Fritz Lang's *Metropolis* (1927), establishing him as a major star. He also appeared in films like *Asphalt* (1929) and worked in Hollywood on German versions of American films.

During the Third Reich, Fröhlich directed eight films and wrote five screenplays. He remained a leading actor alongside stars like Hans Albers and Heinz Rühmann. His personal life included marriages to Gitta Alpár and Maria Hajek, with whom he had children. There were rumors of conflicts with Nazi figures like Joseph Goebbels.

After World War II, Fröhlich transitioned to supporting roles, notably in *Die Sünderin* (1951), which caused controversy due to its themes. He retired in 1956 but continued occasional film and TV appearances until the early 1980s. In 1973, he received a German Film Award for Lifetime Achievement. Fröhlich lived in Switzerland from 1956 until his death in 1987.