Frederick was educated in Germany and France. He came to England in 1939 and took up acting at the suggestion of his English headmaster. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London between 1946 and 1948 and started his stage career at preston Rep in 1949. Many rep seasons in provinces before West End appearances including 'The Comedy of Errors', 'Lock Up Your Daughters', 'The Potsdam Quartet', 'Big Fish, Little Fish', 'For Adults Only', 'A Patriot For Me', 'Mrs. Gibson's Boys' and 'Salad Days'. Frederick started his television career in 1955 and went into films in 1956. He continued to act in all strands of the profession until his death.