Curt Lowens - Actor & Rescuer

Born: November 17, 1925, Olsztyn, Poland
Died: May 8, 2017, California, U.S.A.

Curt Lowens was a courageous Holocaust survivor, resistance fighter, and actor who dedicated his life to saving others and sharing stories through the arts.

In 1951, twenty-six-year-old Polish immigrant Curt Lowens landed his first role on Broadway. The play was Stalag 17, which told the story of American airmen trapped in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II. Strangely, Lowens wasn’t one of the Americans, he played a Nazi guard. For those who knew his life story, this role was both surprising and fitting.

Curt Lowens was born on November 17, 1925, in Allenstein, East Prussia (now Olsztyn, Poland). His family lived a comfortable life until Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933. After that, Curt was bullied in school and his father, a lawyer, began losing clients. The Lowens family moved to Berlin, where they hoped the city’s large Jewish community would give them some protection.

For a short time, life in Berlin seemed calmer. Curt’s father found work, and the family settled in. But on November 9, 1938, everything changed. Violence exploded during “Kristallnacht,” or the Night of Broken Glass, when Jewish businesses, homes, and synagogues were destroyed. The Lowens family realized it was no longer safe to stay in Berlin. Like many Jewish families, they wanted to leave for England or America, but immigration was difficult and slow. Curt’s older brother was able to reach England, and soon after, the rest of the family traveled to Rotterdam, Netherlands, planning to board a ship to the United States.

Before they could leave, Germany invaded the Netherlands. Soldiers quickly began arresting people trying to escape, especially members of the Jewish community. The Lowens family split up, since people who hid Jews usually took in individuals rather than whole families.

Curt was given a false identity and became “Ben Joosten.” He hid in attics and safe houses, moving from city to city. Eventually, he joined a student resistance group near Amsterdam. With them, Curt helped rescue Jewish children, bringing them to safety and providing food and clothing. His efforts are believed to have saved the lives of 123 children and adults.

One day, while riding his bike through the countryside, Curt saw an American plane crash, with two crewmen parachuting to the ground. He quickly found them, hid them in the woods, and later brought them to the attic where he was hiding. The men stayed with him for two months, until the southern Netherlands were liberated by Allied forces.

After the war, Curt worked as a translator for the British 8th Corps in both the Netherlands and Germany. When his service ended, he finally achieved his dream of emigrating to the United States. There, he built a steady career in theater, film, and television, appearing in more than 100 movies and shows. He often acted in World War II stories, including the film The Hindenburg, where he drew from his childhood memory of seeing the zeppelin in person.

For his bravery in saving Jewish children and American airmen, Curt was awarded a military decoration by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 2002, he published his memoir, Destination: Question Mark. Curt Lowens passed away in Beverly Hills in 2017, leaving behind both a remarkable acting career and an inspiring story of courage.

References:
“Curt Lowens Facts for Kids.” Curt Lowens Facts for Kids, kids.kiddle.co/Curt_Lowens.
“In Memory of Curt Lowens.” USC Shoah Foundation, 11 May 2017, sfi.usc.edu/news/2017/05/32781-memory-curt-lowens
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Keywords:
Arts, Wartime, Courage, Perseverance, Responsibility, Freedom, Make a Difference, Take Risks for Others

Explore ARTEFFECT projects about this Unsung Hero:
Curt Lowens Artworks