Glowna passed away on Tuesday (24Jan12) after a short illness, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

He tried his hand at odd jobs including a taxi driver and hotel bellboy before beginning his acting career, and he racked up a number of credits as a regular on TV and in film.

Glowna had supporting roles in No Place To Go in 2000 and 2006's Four Minutes, both of which were named Film of the Year at the German Film Awards, and he also appeared in the World War II drama Cross of Iron.

His directorial debut Desperado City was awarded the Golden Camera honour at France's Cannes Film Festival in 1981, while his second effort, Dies rigorose Leben, received an honourable mention at the 1983 Berlin Film Festival in Germany.