Paul Heidemann

{{short description|German actor and filmmaker}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Paul Heidemann

| image = Paul Heidemann by Nicola Perscheid.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Heidemann, ca. 1920

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1884|10|26|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Cologne, German Empire

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1968|06|20|1884|10|26|df=yes}}

| death_place = Berlin, West Germany

| nationality = German

| other_names =

| education =

| occupation = Actor, producer, director

| years_active= 1906–1965

| spouse =

| children =

| awards =

}}

Paul Heidemann (26 October 1884 – 20 June 1968) was a German actor, comedian, film director, film producer, and opera singer. As a performer, he excelled in various genres and was especially noted for his comedic skills {{Cite book|last=Grdina|first=Igor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xceFJxQaoUMC&dq=Paul+Heidemann+1884+%E2%80%93+1968&pg=PA86|title=Med domom in svetom|date=2011-01-01|publisher=Založba ZRC|isbn=978-961-254-359-4|language=sl}}

He was born in Cologne, Germany and died in Berlin.{{Cite book |last=Schneidereit |first=Wolfgang |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4V6GDwAAQBAJ |title=Discographie der Gesangsinterpreten der leichten Muse von 1925 bis 1945 im deutschsprachigen Raum: Eine Discographie mit biographischen Angaben in 3 Bänden Band 2: Kirsten Heiberg bis Ethel Reschke |date=2019-02-01 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-7528-2841-2 |language=de}}

After a career as a cigar merchant, he started acting lessons under the tutelage of actor Leopold Teller. Heidemann made his 1906 acting debut in Hanau in the operetta Old Heidelberg as Prince Karl-Heinz. In 1909, he sang in Bruno Granichstaeden's operettas' including Bub oder Mädel at the playhouse in Breslau.

Heidemann gained the reputation of being a talented comedian after performing in Berlin in 1911 on the recommendation of the composer Jean Gilbert. While in Berlin, he also debuted in Gilbert's play Die keusche Susanne.

In 1912, Franz Porten gave him his first leading role in Das Branmal ihrer Vergangenheit. From 1914 to 1918, he mainly played the comical characters of "Teddy" and "Paulchen". His career continued into the 1920s as he played many supporting roles with credits in over 100 films and operettas.

During World War II, Heidemann worked as a film director and stage comedian. In the 1950s he took on roles in several German productions as well some DEFA films.{{Cite book|last=Schneidereit|first=Wolfgang|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4V6GDwAAQBAJ&dq=Paul+Heidemann+1884+%E2%80%93+1968&pg=PA549|title=Discographie der Gesangsinterpreten der leichten Muse von 1925 bis 1945 im deutschsprachigen Raum: Eine Discographie mit biographischen Angaben in 3 Bänden Band 2: Kirsten Heiberg bis Ethel Reschke|date=2019-02-01|publisher=BoD – Books on Demand|isbn=978-3-7528-2841-2|language=de}}