Rudolf Schündler

Rudolf Ernst Paul Schündler (17 April 1906, in Leipzig – 12 December 1988, in Munich) was a German actor and director. Schündler appeared in over 250 film and television productions between 1924 and his death, often in supporting roles as a character actor. Additionally, he directed more than two dozen film and television productions during the 1950s and 1960s.

One of his early film roles was in Fritz Lang's The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933). One of his best-known roles to German audiciences was the befuddled teacher Dr. Arthur Knörz in the school comedy film series Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank ("The Slackers from the Front Row") during the late 1960s and the 1970s. Among his international roles were Karl in The Exorcist (1973) and Professor Milius in Suspiria (1977), both horror film classics of that time.

On stage, he appeared in comical roles and as a kabarettist. He co-ounded the political cabaret "Die Schaubude" in Munich in the post-war era, but it had to close after just three years in 1948.

Shortly after finishing the film The Nasty Girl, Schündler died of a heart attack in Germany, aged 82. The film was released in 1990, two years after his death.