He played leading parts opposite Henny Porten and Fern Andra in several silent films.

When Adolf Hitler came to power and several restrictions began to be imposed on Jews, Delius emigrated to Switzerland where he continued his theater and film career.

Some of his early films include Das große Schweigen (1915), Ihr bester Schuß (1916), Der Gefangene von Dahomey (1917).

[2] Some of his successful films include Auri sacra fames/Der verfluchte Hunger nach Gold (1920), Katharina die Grosse (1920), Lotte Lore (1921), Deutsche Helden in schwerer Zeit (1924) and Der Turm des Schweigens (1925).

[1] In the historical film Am Liebeshof des Sonnenkönigs (1920), Delius played the character of Louis XIV of France.