Paul Panzer: A Silent Film Legend

Paul Panzer, born Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter in Würzburg, Bavaria, was a prolific German-American silent film actor whose career spanned nearly five decades. After studying pharmacy and vocal music at the University of Würzburg, he left his position as a lieutenant in Germany's artillery reserves to pursue film in New York City. His early work building sets and painting scenes for a film studio sparked his interest in the industry, and he also gained experience in live theater with Augustin Daly.

Panzer is best remembered for his role as Koerner / Raymond Owen in the classic serial *The Perils of Pauline*. From 1934 through the 1950s, he was under contract to Warner Brothers as an extra, appearing in more than 330 films between 1905 and 1952. After retiring, he lived with his daughter in Culver City, California, and passed away in Hollywood in 1958, buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.