**Walter Ladengast (1903-1980)** was an Austrian actor, best known for his collaborations with director Werner Herzog. He appeared in numerous Herzog films, including the priest Carvajal in *Aguirre, the Wrath of God* (1972), Professor Georg Friedrich Daumer in *The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser* (1974), and Dr. Van Swieten in *Nosferatu the Vampyre* (1979).

Ladengast was often cast as figures of moral or intellectual authority, such as doctors, professors, or religious figures. His acting style was characterized by a sober yet intense presence, capable of conveying dignity and a veiled melancholy. His distinctive face made him instantly recognizable and memorable.