Hans Albers

During the early years of his career in Berlin, he met and fell in love with a Jewish actress, Hansi Burg. Despite being a tumultuous affair, the two stayed loyal to each other until the very end.

Following Nazi’s emergence to power in 1933, he along with his girlfriend Hansi Burg moved to Starnberger See in Bavaria. Though the Nazi government initially accepted the relationship, too much of pressure finally led Burg to relocate to Switzerland and later to Great Britain in 1939.

After the end of World War II, she finally returned to Germany to be with him for the rest of his life. The two remained a couple until his death in 1960

Hans Albers was born on September 22, 1891 in Hamburg, German Empire. His father was a butcher by profession

Since a young age, Albers demonstrated keen interest in acting. He, however, hid the same from his family and took acting classes during his early teens.

In 1911, he began his career in films but with the start of World War I, he had to suspend his film career.

In 1915, he was drafted into the German Army to serve in World War I. However, his stint as army personnel was short lived, following an injury and a severe wound which prematurely ended his military career.

After being relieved from his military duties and recovering from the major wound, he yet again pursued his ultimate passion for acting. After the end of the war, he relocated to Berlin.

It was at Berlin that he found work as a comedy actor in the Weimar-Era Berlin theatres. Following a stint of roles, his breakthrough performance came with the play ‘Verbreher’, in which he played the role of a waiter.

His superlative acting ability saw him gain rapid strides. He soon received film offers and was seen acting in several notable silent films such as ‘Demetrius in A’ and ‘Rasputin’.

This reputed and well-established German actor of the 1930s and 40s was involved in a controversial romantic relationship with Jewish actress Hansi Burg.