Joseph Egger (22 February 1889 – 29 August 1966; also spelled Josef Egger) was an Austrian character actor who appeared in 76 films between 1935 and 1965.

Biography

The 18-year-old Egger started his stage career at the Leoben theatre. During the following decades, he also appeared at the Raimund Theater in Vienna and at the Deutsches Theater in Munich. Besides acting Egger was a well-known music hall comedian, and he was famous for doing "tricks" with his beard. He received his first film offers during the 1930s and specialized on portraying eccentric old men in supporting roles. During the 1950s, he appeared in comedic roles in numerous Austrian Heimatfilms of that era. Internationally, Egger appeared as a character actor in the first two films of the Sergio Leone western "Dollars Trilogy": As the coffin-builder in A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and as Prophet in his final film appearance For a Few Dollars More (1965).

Personal life

Joseph Egger was married to Erna and had three sons. He worked as an actor until his death in 1966 at the age of 77.

Selected filmography