Waldis was born Otto Glucksmann-Blum in 1901 in Vienna.^[2][3] He was a student during World War I and initially studied to be a naval engineer. When Germany had no navy after the war, he shifted his attention to acting in the 1920s. Rudolph Schildkraut saw him perform and encouraged him to pursue a theatrical career. Billed as Otto Valdis, he performed Shakespeare and classic German plays. He also directed plays.^{[citation needed]}

Waldis began made his film debut in a small role in director Fritz Lang's classic thriller M (1931) starring Peter Lorre. After he began acting regularly in films, he had the lead in The Broken Pitcher, which received first prize in an international competition in 1934.

The Jewish actor fled from Europe because of the persecution from the Nazi Regime.^[4] He and his wife left Austria and arrived in Birmingham, Alabama, in June 1940.^[5] He worked as a photographer in Birmingham.^[1]

Waldis became a familiar character actor often appearing in B movies and his roles were sometimes uncredited. He also appeared regularly on television during the 1950s and '60s. Waldis also occasionally acted on stage.

Waldis married Margaret Vieth, an opera singer, in 1935.^[5] He died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 72.^{[citation needed]}

Waldis also made several guest appearances on television including roles in My Little Margie, The Adventures of Superman, General Electric Theater, Lassie, Maverick, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, Peter Gunn, Playhouse 90, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Untouchables, 77 Sunset Strip, Wagon Train, Lawman, Ben Casey, Hogan's Heroes, Mannix and Gomer Pyle, USMC.^[6]

• Otto Waldis at IMDb