Peter Alexander (Austrian performer)
Peter Alexander Ferdinand Maximilian Neumayer (30 June 1926 – 12 February 2011), commonly known as Peter Alexander, was an Austrian actor, singer and one of the most popular entertainers in the German-language world between the 1950s and his retirement. His fame emerged in the 1950s and 1960s through popular film comedies and successful recordings, predominantly of Schlager and operetta repertory. Later, Alexander established himself as the acclaimed host of television shows. His career as a live singer touring the German language countries lasted until 1991, while he continued his television work until 1996. Life and career . Born in Vienna, Alexander attended the Max Reinhardt Seminar for actors until 1948 and then began his career in acting. He starred in several musical comedies, including "Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager" and "Peter schießt den Vogel ab". He recorded Ralph Benatzky's operetta "Im weißen Rößl", singing the lead role of Leopold Brandmeyer. He then performed in the 1960 movie version of the operetta. He later starred in the Count Bobby movies and the "Lümmel"-series. In the 1970s, Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. His music show, the "", was shown on black and  white TV from 1963 until 1966. From 1969, the German TV station ZDF started to air a new colour version which was broadcast until 1996. The "Peter Alexander Show" has been seen by more than 38 million viewers and has averaged a 71% viewing rate. After his death, Media Control Charts named him the biggest singles artist ever with 459 songs having charted on the German singles chart. The single "Und manchmal weinst du sicher ein paar Tränen" had the longest run with 34 weeks on that chart, while 2 other songs, "Der letzte Walzer" and "Liebesleid", were able to  reach the No. 1 position. Alexander won 10 Bambi Awards and in 1996 was awarded a Bambi for lifetime achievement. Alexander married Hilde Haagen in 1952; they had two children, Susanne Neumayer-Haidinger (1958–2009), an artist, and Michael Neumayer (1963–2019). Alexander was widowed in 2003. Alexander died on 12 February 2011, aged 84, in his native Vienna.