Career
Wengraf emigrated to Britain in 1933 as the Nazis began their rise to power. Wengraf appeared unbilled in a couple of films, as well as in some of the first British Broadcasting Corporation live-television shows ever presented. In 1941 he appeared on Broadway with Helen Hayes in Candle in the Wind and decided to stay in the United States. The following year he settled in the Los Angeles area.
He found himself invariably playing the very characters he detested.
Some of his more nefarious nasties surfaced in such films as the Humphrey Bogart classic, as well as, U-Boat Prisoner (1944) and Till We Meet Again (1944). In post-war years, he portrayed ethnic professionals (scientists, doctors, professors, foreign royalty).
Some of the more quality pictures he enhanced were Tomorrow Is Forever (1946). Count Von Papen in 5 Fingers (1952).
And Ronchin in the Ethel Merman musical Call Maine Madam (1953).
In the 1950s and 1960s he transferred his talents to television, appearing on a number of dramatic showcases and on such popular programs as The Untouchables (1959), Hawaiian Eye (1959), The Manitoba from United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (1964) and The Time Tunnel (1966). His last few films included minor roles in the war-themed, Hitler (1962) and as well as The Prize (1963). Wengraf retired in 1966, and died in Santa Barbara, California, at age 77 on 4 May 1974.