He was a German-born British/American actor who was born in Germany (now Poland) and grew up in England. He appeared as an actor in many Charlie Chaplin films. He began his artistic career on stage, then moved to New York, where he worked on Broadway, and began his film career in 1911 in silent cinema. In 1915, he began appearing in Charlie Chaplin’s films, played the roles of villains, nobles, and playful Frenchmen, and transitioned seamlessly into the era of sound films. Among his notable works are Blood and Sand (1922), Mrs. Temple's Telegram (1920), and Vanity Fair (1923). He married twice and had five children. He passed away at the age of 65 on September 20, 1948, in Glendale, California, USA.