Ferdinand Gottschalk (1858-1944) was a British actor who started working in Canada in the late 1880s, supporting music hall star Rosina Vokes. He made his Broadway debut in 1894, and went on to act in and direct many productions, as well as writing for the stage.
Gottschalk’s first screen appearance was in 1917, when he was 59, in Please Help Emily, recreating one of his stage roles. This, and three other silent films, were shot in New York.
Moving to Hollywood after the introduction of sound, Gottschalk had a prominent role in the Gloria Swanson comedy Tonight or Never (1931). He only worked in films until 1938, but during that period was a distinguished character actor in over seventy pictures.
Gottschalk’s notable appearances included: Grand Hotel (1932), as the ballet master Pimenov; The Sign of the Cross (1932), as the decadent Glabrio, a role he repeated in Cleopatra (1934), but his scenes did not make the final cut; and Thenardier in Les Misérables (1935).
Gottschalk made many uncredited appearances, and three were in the MGM musicals Dancing Lady, Hollywood Party and Here Comes the Band.
After retiring, Gottschalk returned to the UK.
