Herman Bing | |
|---|---|
 Bing in The Great Ziegfeld trailer | |
| Born | March 30, 1889 Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
| Died | January 9, 1947 (aged 57) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1921–1946 |
| Spouse | Carla Lichtenstein |
| Children | 1 |
Herman Bing (March 30, 1889 – January 9, 1947) was a German-American character actor. He acted in more than 120 films and many of his parts were uncredited.
Bing was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. [1]: 115
Bing began his career at the circus, at age 16, and vaudeville showing comedic talent.[2]: 25 In 1921 he made his film debut in "Ciska Barna, die Zigeunerin".
He was production chief of several films in Germany before he went to America, in 1923, with director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau as Murnau's interpreter and assistant director. He also worked under John Ford and Frank Borzage, before establishing himself as a successful character actor well known for his wild-eyed facial expressions and thick German accent. He also provided the voice for the Ringmaster in Walt Disney's Dumbo (1941).
The start of World War II in Europe caused all things German to be unpopular with audiences. His German accent was no longer in demand in the years following World War II. He became increasingly depressed in the mid-1940s, as he was unable to secure work in Hollywood, and committed suicide by gunshot in 1947.[3]
