Werner, Oskar eigentlich Josef Bschließmayer

Werner, Oskar (real name: Josef Bschließmayer), b. Vienna, Nov. 13, 1922, d. Marburg an der Lahn (Germany), Oct. 23, 1984, (film) actor. Engaged at the Vienna Burgtheater by L. Müthel in 1941, member of the company until 1949, and from 1951-1955 and from 1960-1961; also acted at the Theater in der Josefstadt (1950), at the Raimundtheater and at the Volkstheater in Vienna as well as at theatres in Germany and Switzerland and appeared at the Salzburg Festival (classical and modern parts). In the 1950s he was especially admired as leading gentleman; famous for his Hamlet; later he played complex characters which he shaped through his sensitive acting and his characteristic melodic pattern; international film career. W. founded his own O.-W.-troupe and during the last years of his life frequently toured Germany and Austria as a reciter (mainly R. M. Rilke and J. Weinheber).

Films: Der Engel mit der Posaune, 1948; Der letzte Akt, 1955; Mozart, 1955; Lola Montez, 1955; Jules und Jim, 1961; Das Narrenschiff, 1965; Der Spion, der aus der Kälte kam, 1965; Fahrenheit 451, 1966.

Literature: A. E. Láng, O. W., 1984; M. Mazura, O. W., biography, 1986; R. Dachs, O. W., 1988.