Peter Alexander (Austrian performer)

Peter Alexander
Born Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer
(1926-06-30)30 June 1926
Vienna, Austria
Died 12 February 2011(2011-02-12) (aged 84)
Vienna, Austria
Occupation Actor, singer
Years active 1948–1996

Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer (30 June 1926 – 12 February 2011), commonly known as Peter Alexander, was an Austrian actor, singer and entertainer. His fame emerged in the 1950s and 1960s through popular film comedies and successful recordings, predominantly of Schlager and operetta repertory. Later, Alexander established himself as the acclaimed host of television shows. His career as a live singer touring the German language countries lasted until 1991, while he continued his television work until 1996.

Life and career

During World War II, Alexander was a teenaged Luftwaffenhelfer and member of the Reichsarbeitsdienst before finally being conscripted into the Navy. He was captured by the British in early 1945 and held as a POW.

After World War II, he attended Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminary for actors until 1948 and then began his career in acting. He starred in several musical comedies, including Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager and Peter schießt den Vogel ab. He recorded Ralph Benatzky's operetta Im weißen Rößl, singing the lead role of Leopold Brandmeyer. He then performed in the 1960 movie version of the operetta.[1] He later starred in the Count Bobby movies and the Lümmel-series. In the 1970s, Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. His music show, the Peter Alexander Show, was shown on black and white TV from 1963 until 1966. From 1969, the German TV station ZDF started to air a new colour version which was broadcast until 1996. The Peter Alexander Show has been seen by more than 38 million viewers and has averaged a 71% viewing rate.

After his death, Media Control Charts named him the biggest singles artist ever with 459 songs having charted on the German singles chart. The single "Und manchmal weinst du sicher ein paar Tränen" had the longest run with 34 weeks on that chart, while 2 other songs, "Der letzte Walzer" and "Liebesleid", were able to reach the #1 position.[2] Alexander won 10 Bambi Awards and in 1996 was awarded a Bambi for lifetime achievement.[3]

Alexander married Hilde Haagen in 1952; they had two children, Susanne Neumayer-Haidinger (1958–2009),[4][5] an artist, and Michael Neumayer (born 1963). Alexander was widowed in 2003.[6][7]

Peter Alexander died on 12 February 2011, aged 84, in his native Vienna. He is survived by his son and two grandchildren.

Filmography

Year Film Director Role
1948 Der Engel mit der Posaune Karl Hartl Visitor
1952 Verlorene Melodie Eduard von Borsody Piano player
1952 Königin der Arena Rolf Meyer Singer
1953 Salto Mortale Viktor Tourjansky Singer
1953 Die süßesten Früchte Franz Antel Singer
1953 Drei von denen man spricht Axel von Ambesser
1954 Verliebte Leute Franz Antel Musician Karl Munk
1954 Große Starparade Paul Martin Singer
1955 Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager Paul Martin Singer Peter Alexander
1956 Musikparade Géza von Cziffra Singer Peter Martin
1956 Bonjour Kathrin Karl Anton Music student Pierre
1956 Ein Mann muß nicht immer schön sein Hans Quest Jazz singer Peter Moll
1957 Liebe, Jazz und Übermut Erik Ode Jazz singer Peter Hagen
1957 Das haut hin Géza von Cziffra Student, artist and singer Toni Matthis
1957 Die Beine von Dolores Géza von Cziffra Singer
1958 Münchhausen in Afrika Werner Jacobs Music teacher Peter von Münchhausen
1958 Wehe, wenn sie losgelassen Géza von Cziffra Jazz musician Peter Holunder
1958 So ein Millionär hat's schwer Géza von Cziffra Millionaire's Heir Edward Collins
1959 Peter schießt den Vogel ab Géza von Cziffra Porter Peter Schatz
1959 Schlag auf Schlag Géza von Cziffra Registrar Hugo Bartels
1959 Ich bin kein Casanova Géza von Cziffra Student and Butler Peter Keller
1959 Salem Aleikum
aka: Mein ganzes Leben ist Musik
Géza von Cziffra Teacher and Amateur Musician Peter Karmann
1960 Kriminaltango Géza von Cziffra Houseowner Peter Martens
1960 Ich zähle täglich meine Sorgen Paul Martin Fashion designer Peter Hollmann
1960 Im weißen Rößl Werner Jacobs Head waiter Leopold Brandmeyer
1961 Season in Salzburg
aka: Wenn der Toni mit der Vroni
Franz Josef Gottlieb Waiter Heinz Doll
1961 Die Abenteuer des Grafen Bobby Géza von Cziffra Count Bobby (Robert) Pinelski
1962 Die Fledermaus Géza von Cziffra Dr. Gabriel Eisenstein
1962 The Merry Widow Werner Jacobs Danilo
1962 Hochzeitsnacht im Paradies Paul Martin Operetta star Dr. Ulrich Hansen
1962 Das süße Leben des Grafen Bobby Géza von Cziffra Count Bobby (Robert) Pinelski
1963 Charleys Tante Géza von Cziffra Diplomat Dr. Otto Wilder
1963 Der Musterknabe Werner Jacobs CEO Dr. Fritz Geyer
1963 Schwejks Flegeljahre Wolfgang Liebeneiner Josef Schwejk
1964 Hilfe, meine Braut klaut Werner Jacobs Commercial artist Valentin Haase
1964 Und sowas muß um 8 ins Bett Werner Jacobs Teacher Dr. Eduard Frank
1965 Das Liebeskarussell Axel von Ambesser
Rolf Thiele
Alfred Weidenmann
Peter Sommer
1965 Graf Bobby, der Schrecken des Wilden Westens Paul Martin Count Bobby (Robert) Pinelski
1966 Bel Ami 2000 oder Wie verführt man einen Playboy? Michael Pfleghar Peter Knolle
1968 Zum Teufel mit der Penne
Part #2 of the series: Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank
Werner Jacobs TV reporter Dr. Peter Roland,
Substitute teacher Dr. Wilhelm-Maria Tell
1969 Hurra, die Schule brennt!
Part #4 of the series: Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank
Werner Jacobs Teacher Dr. Peter Bach
1972 Hauptsache Ferien Peter Weck Teacher Dr. Peter Markus

Decorations and awards

Bibliography

References

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