Actor Maximilian Schell dies at 83

Maximilian Schell won an Oscar for his role in “Judgment at Nuremberg” Keystone

Oscar-winning actor Maximilian Schell has died at the age of 83. The son of a Swiss playwright and an Austrian actress fled from Hitler and became a Hollywood favourite.

According to his agent, Schell died of sudden illness at a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, during the early hours of Saturday morning.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, Swiss Interior Minister Alain Berset described Schell as an “impressive and unique player” who helped give Swiss film an international face.

Born in Austria, Schell grew up in Switzerland after his family fled Germany’s annexation of Austria. Like his sister Maria and brother Carl, he also became an actor, first on stage, and later on screen.

Schell won the 1961 Oscar for best actor for his role as a defence attorney in “Judgment at Nuremberg”. He was also nominated for his parts in the 1970s films “The Man in the Glass Booth” and “Julia”. In 1992 he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Lenin in the HBO miniseries “Stalin”.

Schell also worked as a producer and director, and some of his films were nominated for Oscars as well. In a documentary called “My Sister Maria,” Schell put the spotlight on his sister, who died in 2005.