Franz Josef Felten (born August 30, 1894) was an Austrian actor who was born in the small town of Leoben, Styria in Austria-Hungary. He was the son of Karl Felten, a blacksmith, and his wife, Anna. He studied acting at the Vienna Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and made his stage debut in 1915 at the Theater an der Wien.
In 1919, he made his film debut in the comedy Die Kassenwirtin. He soon became one of the most popular and sought-after character actors in German-speaking cinema, appearing in many successful films such as The Quarrel of the Princess and the Peasant (1927) and The Man Who Was Sherlock Holmes (1930).
During the Nazi era, Felten continued to work in films and found success in propaganda films. He was even cast as a Nazi officer in the 1940 film Jud Süß. After the war, however, he was unable to find work in Germany and moved to Italy where he appeared in several films.
His last major film role was as the German general in the classic western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). He retired in the late 1960s and died in Vienna in 1970.
Throughout his career, Felten was highly respected and admired for his portrayal of the quintessential German character. He was often cast in roles which required a combination of intelligence, dignity, and a subtle sense of humour. He was also known for his ability to create strong and sympathetic characters, even in minor roles.
Franz Josef Felten was one of the great character actors of the era and his legacy lives on. His career spanned five decades and he left behind a rich filmography that reflects the changes in German cinema. He will be remembered as one of the finest actors in the history of German cinema.
