Kurt Großkurth

Kurt Großkurth (or Grosskurth; May 11, 1909 – May 29, 1975) was a German actor and singer.

Grosskurth was born in Langenselbold, Germany, in 1909.

In the 1920s he studied hotel management in Essen, London and Heidelberg. In the early 1930s, he discovered his love for the stage and studied acting and singing. After several engagements in the province of guest appearances followed in Hamburg and Berlin. After the war he took an engagement at Gustaf Gründgens at the City Stage Düsseldorf. In the 1950s made him famous film, and operetta throughout the country. His preference was slight comedies and operettas. Although he appeared in many films, he never played the main role. It was Großkurth with almost all stars of the entertainment films of that time on camera.

On television in 1967 he played the mayor in Landarzt Dr. Brock. Six years earlier (1961) he played alongside Erwin Linder and Monika Dahlberg one of the main roles in the comedy The Merry Vineyard by Carl Zuckmayer.

In the early 1970s he was - again, in small supporting roles - in major international productions such as Ludwig II by Luchino Visconti and Bluebeard of Edward Dmytryk and played in the French film La ligne d'ombre directed by Georges Franju. He was also involved in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, where he portrayed the uncredited part as Mr. Gloop the typical thick butcher.

At times he was part of the ensemble of the Millowitsch Theatre. The "grand old conductor of the operetta," Franz Marszalek, engaged him repeatedly as an actor for his productions.

Großkurth died in Bad Aibling, Germany, shortly after his 66th birthday, on 29 May, 1975, from results a road accident.

His grave site is at the ballot box in the cemetery wall in Grünwald, near Munich.