Born in Vienna, Maximilian Schell was raised in Zurich, Switzerland, served in the Swiss army, and at the age of 22 turned his attention towards a professional acting career. He gained international attention in 1955 with his supporting role in Kinder, Mütter und ein General (Sons, Mothers and a General), eventually becoming one of the the most successful German-speaking actors in English-language films.
Maximilian Schell died at age 83, complications from pneumonia.
