Initially a typesetter and typographer, Gnädinger began his acting training at the Bühnenstudio Zürich (now part of the Zurich University of the Arts) from 1962 to 1966.

He starred in Leo Sonnyboy, Das Boot ist voll, Journey of Hope and the Austrian-German-Swiss co-production Kinder der Landstrasse.

According to the film's director Paul Riniker, a sequel was planned, but neither it nor another project focusing on the 74-year-old actor will be realized, as Gnädinger died on 3 April 2015.

The production works in Japan were documented by 10vor10, and Gnädiger was absolutely fascinated by the old Japanese tradition, and his ten years old co-star Loïc Sho of Swiss-Japanese origin.

"[3] Gnädinger died on 3 April 2015 in Zürich from cardiac complications and acute respiratory distress syndrome.