Rudi Godden was born as Rudi Lissbauer on April 18, 1907, in Berlin, Germany. He emerged as a prominent German actor, cabaret performer, and operatic singer during the 1930s. Godden's career in film began after signing with Tobis in 1935, and he became well-known for playing youthful leads in musical films and romantic melodramas of the Nazi era. Some of his notable films include "Hello Janine!" (1939), "Robert and Bertram" (1939), and the propaganda film "Das Gewehr über" (1939).

In addition to his film work, Godden was a member of the topical-satirical singing quartet "Blue Boys" and performed in cabaret and opera in Berlin. His promising career was cut short when he died unexpectedly of blood poisoning on January 4, 1941, in Berlin at the age of 33. He was married to Gerty Godden from 1937 until his death.