He spoke several foreign languages fluently (including, he liked to say, English), and played his first film role, in "Operation Crossbow", entirely in German, just as his second film role, in "A High Wind In Jamaica" was mostly in Spanish.
He passed away at Michael Sobell Hospice in Northwood, Hertfordshire, England at 9am.
On 17 July 2001, he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of
Glamorgan.
He spoke 7 languages including Welsh and Russian.
Before turning to the stage he was an interpreter in Vienna.