Swiss actor
Received the Hans-Reinhart-Ring, the highest Swiss award for a stage actor. [1962].
His father was a laboratory chemist.
Appeared in more Heimatfilms than just about any other screen actor in the German-speaking cinema.
Studied acting under Josef Danegger. On stage in Zurich from 1918, including singing roles in opera and operetta.
The Swiss actor Heinrich Gretler belongs to the most important film workers of the Swiss film and launched his career with engagements at the Pfauenbhne in 1919.
He intensified he activity in movies after the war and only appeared rarely at the theater.
Heinrich Gretler tried to gain a foothold in the German film stronghold and went to Berlin in 1926. There he took over small and smallest roles at the theater, took part in operettas and came to the Volksbhne Berlin in 1928.
He played despite his young age often old characters, besides it he wrote poems for the magazine "Die Suppe" and took singing lessons.
With the seizure of power of the National Socialism he returned to Switzerland where he became a very popular actor in the following years and he took part in some of the most important Swiss productions.
He normally worked in Germany again from 1950 where he impersonated the earthy but warm Swiss in a multitude of movies.
