Otto Wernicke's life began on May 20th, 1901, in the culturally rich city of Vienna, Austria, where he was born Otto Glucksmann-Blum. As a young adult, he started his acting career in his twenties, making his screen debut in the iconic film "M" directed by Fritz Lang in 1931, where he played the role of Franz under the billing name Otto Wernicke.
Following his early beginnings in the Austrian film industry, Wernicke made the significant move to the United States in 1940, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life and career. He went on to work extensively as a character actor in both film and television, occasionally also appearing on stage in New York, until the early 1960s.
Throughout his career, Wernicke was known for his versatility and range as an actor, taking on a wide variety of roles that showcased his talent and dedication to his craft. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he passed away suddenly due to a heart attack, just before filming was set to begin on Mel Brooks' classic comedy film "Young Frankenstein".