Siegfried Rauch wanted to be an architect originally. But he began studying drama and later made a drama school. His career began smoking in 1958 at theaters.

After roles at theaters in Bremen, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg smoke was also seen in cinema and television. Among his most successful film roles was the 1970 Captain Oskar Steiger in Patton - Rebell in Uniform, which won seven Oscars. In 1971, he embodied at the side of the Steve McQueen racer Erich Stahler in Le Mans. Steve McQueen, with the smoke a close friendship, was the godfather of his first son.