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Curt Lowens was born into a Jewish family in the East Prussian town of Allenstein (now Olsztyn, Poland) in 1925. His father was a respected lawyer who was forced out of business due to anti-semitic laws and sentiment with the rise of the Third Reich in Germany. His family moved to a Jewish community in Berlin in 1936, but later decided to leave for the United States. While en route, the Germans invaded Holland, trapping the family in Rotterdam on the intended day of their departure. In June 1943, the family was deported first to Westerbork and then to Auschwitz, though they were later released. Upon leaving, the family went underground. Lowens became an active member of the resistance, rescuing Jewish children under a false identity.

Following the close of World War II, the family immigrated to the United States and Curt Lowens became an actor in television and film. His career is still active today, and he has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows since 1960. Ironically, given his background, he has often been cast as a German soldier.

This lecture is open to public. A light lunch will be served.

This event is presented by the USC Libraries’ Feuchtwanger Memorial Library, the USC Dornsife 2020 Research Cluster “Resisting the Path to Genocides,” and the USC Shoah Foundation Institute.