Born in Vienna. Studied at Max Reinhardt School. Early years as entertainer at Reiss Bar in Vienna. Often appeared at still-existing Raimund-Theater. Met wife, Liselotte, on stage in Brno .
2 sons: Michael & Stephen.
Erics daughter-in-law, Aviva, was 6 months pregnant at the time of his death. The little girl was named Shira; her parents added a 2nd name, Erica, in memory of her grandfather.
He was the voice of "NO1" of Spectre, usually stroking a white cat in the early James Bond films.