Nationality: Austrian
Birthdate: 05/03/1902
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Death Date: 04/21/1983
Romantic lead and then (due to his increasing weight) character player, discovered by Michael Curtiz in Hungary in 1922. Slezak began appearing in German films that year and moved to the US, initially as a stage actor, in 1930. His screen roles were often as heavies, notably in "This Land is Mine" (1943) and "Lifeboat" (1944). Like his father, Leo Slezak (1873-1946), he was also a gifted opera singer. Daughter Erika Slezak has appeared on daytime soaps.
1922
Worked as bank clerk when discovered by director Michael Kertesz (later Curtiz)
1922
Screen debut, "Sodom und Gomorrah"
1942
US film debut, "Once Upon a Honeymoon"
