He fell out with his father after the latter tried to prohibit him from becoming an actor. He joined drama school in 1922 but was expelled in 1924. After his mother's death, he was completely on his own.
Founded the Comedian Harmonists by placing a newspaper advertisement in December 1927. Hundreds of people replied but most of them did not have any musical talent or were otherwise unsuitable, the notable exception being Robert Biberti.
His brother Kurt Leo was born in 1911 but died shortly after his birth.
He had two stepsisters, Anna and Rosa, from his father's first marriage.