As three other actors at the Nationaltheater Mannheim had the surname
Ziegler, he was forced to choose a stage name and called himself
Offenbach (1931).
Before making his stage debut in 1927, he worked as a saddler.
His role as father in Die Unverbesserlichen (1965) made him one of Germany's most popular TV
actors. The series ended after his death in 1971.
Was noted as a voice-over artist, dubbing actors like Cyril Cusack, David Kossoff and H.B. Warner into German. He also produced, directed and acted in audio plays during the 1960's.