Who Are Those Guys? ~ Josef Egger

 

Josef Egger was born in Donawitz, Styria, Austria-Hungary on February 22, 1889. He started his stage career at the Leoben Theater when he was eighteen years old. During the next few decades, he appeared in stage productions at the Raimund Theater in Vienna and at the Deutsches Theater in Munich. Egger was also performed at music halls as a comedian and was known for doing tricks with his beard.

He received his first film offers during the 1930s and specialized on portraying eccentric old men in supporting roles. During the 1950s, he appeared in comedic roles in numerous Austrian Heimatfilms of that era.

In all he appeared in some 76 films between 1935 and 1965. He’s best known to Spaghetti western fans as a character actor in the first two films of the Sergio Leone western "Dollars Trilogy": As the coffin-builder, Piripero, in “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) and as ‘The Prophet’ in “For a Few Dollars More” (1965). He also appeared in four other Euro-westerns listed below.

Joseph Egger was married to Erna and had three sons. He worked as an actor until his death in 1966 at the age of 77.

EGGER, Josef (aka Joe Edger, J. Egger, Joseph Egger [2/22/1889, Donawitz, Styria, Austria-Hungary – 8/29/1966, Gablitz, Lower Austria, Austria] – theater, film actor, singer, married to Erna Egger [1895-1989] (19??-1966) father of three sons.

The Terrible Sheriff – 1962 [as Joe Egger]

Fistful of Dollars – 1964 (Piripero) [as Joe Edger]

Massacre at Marble City – 1964 (Fishbury) [as Joseph Egger]

Black Eagle of Santa Fe – 1965 (Buddy)

For a Few Dollars More – 1965 (‘The Prophet’)

The Man from Nowhere – 1966 (old man at stage station)