With his whitish blond crew-cut, slow, menacing drawl and Germanic manner, Van Eyck was destined to be typecast as stereotypically scowling, arrogant Nazi officers. This was ironic, because being an avowed anti-fascist, he had left Germany in 1931 -- two years before 'Adolf Hitler' , which was also his last film. Van Eyck died near Zuerich in Juli 1969 of septicemia, just short of his 58th birthday.
A music arranger for such luminaries as Irving Berlin before he started working in Hollywood as an actor, he also served as Berlins stage manager and production assistant. He also was an assistant at one time for Orson Welles Mercury Theatre.
Initially found radio work through the help of Billy Wilder.
In his early days he also wrote cabaret revues and played piano at bars.
After World War II, Peter van Eyck was film officer for the Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS) in Germany.
He is the father of actress Kristina van Eyck.
Born the same day as "Ginger Rogers".
