Walter Rilla

Walter Rilla (22 August 1894 – 21 November 1980) was a German film actor of Jewish descent.

Rilla began his acting career on the German stage, then debuted in film during the silent era.

This included an early role for him in Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau's The Grand Duke's Finances in 1924.

Following the rise of the Nazi Party to power in 1933, he emigrated to Britain and became a regular performer in British films often in villainous or aristocratic roles.

From the 1950s onwards he returned to West Germany to appear in films and on television, alternating this with continued roles in British cinema.