Biography
Gustav von Seyffertitz was a German actor and director. Born in Haimhausen, Bavaria, he trained at the Meininger Hoftheater and worked in opera before emigrating to the United States in the mid-1890s. He appeared on Broadway in the 1900s and 1910s, and during the First World War used pseudonyms including G. Butler Clonebaugh.
He made his film debut in 1917 and acted in around 120 films until 1939, often as stern or villainous characters. Notable roles include Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes (1922), supporting parts in Josef von Sternberg’s Dishonored (1931) and Shanghai Express (1932), and appearances in Queen Christina (1934) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). He also directed four silent films.
Von Seyffertitz settled in the United States and continued working after the transition to sound despite his accent.
