O.W. Fischer was born in 1915 in Austria.   His career was confined to European films.   His one try at Hollywood did not work and he was replaced by David Niven in the film “My Man Godfrey”.   In 1955 he made “Ludwig the Second”.   He died in Lugano, Switzerland in 2004 at the age of 88.

IMDB Entry:

O.W. Fischer was born on April 1, 1915 in Klosterneuburg, Austria-Hungary as Otto Wilhelm Fischer. He was an actor and director, known for Ludwig II: Glanz und Ende eines Königs (1955), Helden (1958) and Ich suche dich (1956). He was married to Anna Usell. He died on January 29, 2004 in Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland.  Began his career with Max Reinhardt‘s stage compais breakthrough in Hollywood failed, although he was signed to star with June Allyson in My Man Godfrey (1957). When he reportedly lost his memory during filming, he was replaced by David NivenBeing one half of German cinema’s dream couple with Maria Schell in the 1950s, he became the best paid actor in Germany at that time.   Moved to Vernate, Switzerland with his wife Anna in the 1960s.  Ensemble member at the famous Vienna Burgtheater from 1945 to 1952.   Retired from acting to lecture and publish books on linguistics and philosophy in the early 1970s.   Was a member of the ensemble of the Deutsches Volkstheater in Vienna from 1938 to 1945, and of the Burgtheater from 1945 to 1952.   He was notorious for mumbling in many of his films. It has also been stated that he seemed incapable of suppressing a certain amount of narcissism and arrogance. A popular leading actor of German films and international co-productions in the 1950’s and 60’s. He appeared opposite all the leading female stars of the period, usually as the handsome bon vivant or likeable rogue.   O.W. Fischer experienced an enormous popularity jump in the 50’s once more. He played himself to the top of the German actor guild again.From the middle of the 60’s he also made movies in Italy and Spain besides Germany. This was also the time when he retired from the film business gradually. He only appeared occasionally in TV productions from the 70’s. He got first engagements at the Theater in der Josefstadt and at the Münchner Kammerspiele. From 1938 to 1944 he belonged to the company of the Deutsches Volkstheater Wien where he was also convincing in character roles.