Austrian movie stars born in 1903
Here are 6 famous actors from Austria were born in 1903:
Willi Forst
Willi Forst (April 7, 1903 Vienna-August 11, 1980 Vienna) otherwise known as Forst, Willi, Willy Forst, Wilhelm Anton Frohs or W. Forst was an Austrian singer, film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter.
Born Wilhelm Anton Frohs in Vienna, Willi Forst studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts. He began his career as a singer but soon became interested in acting and directing. Forst appeared in many Austrian and German films in the 1920s and 1930s, often playing romantic leads. In 1933, he directed his first film, "Maskerade," which was a huge success and paved the way for a long and illustrious career behind the camera.
Forst produced and directed some of Austria's most popular and successful films, including "Die Fledermaus" (The Bat), "Wiener Blut" (Viennese Blood), and "Ich liebe alle Frauen" (I Love All Women). He also wrote many of his own screenplays and was known for his attention to detail and his ability to direct actors.
Despite his success, Forst's career took a hit after World War II, when he was accused of having collaborated with the Nazi regime. He was eventually cleared of these charges, but his reputation suffered, and he was never able to regain his former level of success.
In addition to his work in film, Forst also continued to perform as a singer and recorded several albums throughout his career. He died in Vienna in 1980 at the age of 77. Today, Willi Forst is remembered as one of Austria's most important and influential filmmakers.
During the early 1930s, Willi Forst's films were well-received and commercially successful in Germany as well. Some of his films even received screenings in the United States, showing his international appeal. Forst was known for his exquisite visual style, and his films often included lavish musical numbers and glamorous costume designs. He worked with some of the most famous and talented actors and actresses of his time, including Marlene Dietrich, Max Hansen, and Hans Moser. Forst was also known for his ability to adapt literary works into successful films, such as his adaptation of Johann Strauss II's operetta "Die Fledermaus." His work in film was recognized with multiple awards, including the Filmband in Gold (Film Ribbon in Gold) - the highest award for a filmmaker in Germany. Despite his later controversies, many of Forst's films continue to be enjoyed and admired by audiences today.
Johannes Heesters
Johannes Heesters (December 5, 1903 Amersfoort-December 24, 2011 Starnberg) also known as Johan Marius Nicolaas Heesters, Jopie, Herr Jopie, Grandseigneur Heesters, Joe Heesters, Johannes M.N. Heesters, Johan Heesters, Johan Marius Nicolaas Johannes Heesters or Johannes was an Austrian singer and actor. He had two children, Nicole Heesters and Wiesje Heesters.
Heesters began his acting career in 1921, performing in various German-language productions. He became a popular film actor during the 1930s, starring in movies such as "Die Fledermaus" and "Das Land des Lächelns." He also made a name for himself as a singer, performing in operettas and giving concerts throughout Europe.
Throughout his career, Heesters was known for his charm and dashing good looks. He continued performing well into his 90s, becoming one of the oldest active performers in the world. He received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, including being named a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.
Heesters' personal life was somewhat controversial. He was criticized for performing in Nazi Germany during World War II, and for making anti-Semitic comments in the past. However, he maintained that he was not a Nazi sympathizer and that he had only performed to entertain the troops. Despite the controversy, Heesters remained a beloved figure in the world of entertainment until his death in 2011.
In addition to his work in Germany, Johannes Heesters also achieved success in the Netherlands, where he was born. He performed in many Dutch-language productions, including a touring production of "Hello, Dolly!" in the 1990s. He was also known for his vocal recordings and lent his voice to several film soundtracks. Heesters was multilingual and could perform in Dutch, German, English, Italian, and French. He continued to perform on stage and on television throughout his later years, even releasing a new album, "Reflections," when he was nearly 100 years old. Despite his advancing age, he remained an energetic and engaging performer, and many fans came out to hear him sing and see him on stage until the end of his career.
Harry Feist
Harry Feist (April 11, 1903 Salzburg-May 25, 1963 Capri) was an Austrian actor.
Feist was born into a family of actors and began his acting career at a young age. He made his film debut in the silent era in 1929 and went on to work in both German and American films. Feist was known for his versatility as an actor and appeared in a wide range of roles, from romantic leads to comedic characters. He also had a successful stage career, performing in theaters across Europe. In 1933 he was forced to flee Germany due to his Jewish heritage and settled in the United States, where he continued to work in the film industry. After World War II, Feist returned to Europe and continued acting until his death in 1963.
Among his notable film roles were Carl Denk in the 1930 German film "Morocco", and Mr. Zoltan in the 1959 American comedy "Some Like It Hot", directed by Billy Wilder. Feist was a multilingual actor, fluent in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian, which allowed him to work on international productions. Besides acting, Feist was also a screenwriter and a director, and worked behind the scenes on several films. He was married to the Austrian actress Hedy Lamarr from 1933 to 1937, and they had a son together. Throughout his career, Harry Feist appeared in over 70 films and left a lasting legacy in the film and theater industries.
Karl Meixner
Karl Meixner (February 13, 1903 Vienna-December 29, 1976 Hamburg) was an Austrian actor.
He began his career in the German film industry during the Weimar Republic era, appearing in films such as "Prostitution" (1927) and "The Blue Angel" (1930). Meixner continued his acting work in Nazi Germany, including playing supporting roles in propaganda films such as "Jud Süß" (1940) and "Kolberg" (1945). After World War II, he appeared in a number of films in both West Germany and East Germany, as well as in Austria. Meixner was also a successful stage actor, performing in a variety of theater productions throughout his career. Additionally, he worked as a dubbing actor, lending his voice to the German versions of foreign films. Meixner died in Hamburg, Germany, in 1976.
Despite his controversial roles during the Nazi regime, Karl Meixner continued to work in the film industry after World War II. He appeared in films such as "Ludwig II: Glanz und Ende eines Königs" (1955) and "Der Schinderhannes" (1958) and also acted in television productions. Meixner was highly regarded for his performances on stage and received critical acclaim for his roles in productions such as "Faust", "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui", and "The Importance of Being Earnest". He was also a respected dubbing actor, lending his voice to popular films such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "The Sound of Music" (1965). Despite the controversy surrounding his earlier work, Meixner is recognized as a talented and versatile actor who left a lasting impact on German cinema and theater.
Frederic Brunn
Frederic Brunn (July 23, 1903 Vienna-April 23, 1955 Los Angeles) also known as Fritz Brunn, Fritz Brünn, Frederick Brunn, Brun, Frederic Andre Brune or Frederic Brune was an Austrian actor.
He appeared in over 70 films, both in Austria and in the United States. Brunn started his film career in Austria in the 1920s, where he worked with prominent directors such as G.W. Pabst and Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau. He then emigrated to the United States in the 1930s, where he continued to act in films and worked in theater. Some of his notable films include "The American Tragedy" (1931), "Little Women" (1933), "Shanghai" (1935), and "City Without Men" (1943). Brunn was also a talented opera singer and performed in various productions throughout his career. He was married to actress and singer Lucie Mannheim and they had one son together. Brunn died from a heart attack at the age of 51.
During his career in the United States, Brunn also appeared in several Broadway productions, including "The Firebird" and "The Great Waltz". He was known for his versatility in playing a wide range of characters, from romantic leads to villains. Brunn was also a skilled linguist and spoke several languages fluently, which allowed him to play characters with diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to his acting and singing career, Brunn was also a painter and exhibited his artwork in solo exhibitions in Vienna and Los Angeles. Despite his talent and success in both Europe and America, Brunn's career was cut short due to his untimely death in 1955.
Theo Lingen
Theo Lingen (June 10, 1903 Hanover-November 10, 1978 Vienna) also known as Lingen, Theo or Franz Theodor Schmitz was an Austrian actor, film director, screenwriter and musician. He had one child, Ursula Lingen.
Born in Hanover, Germany, Theo Lingen began his acting career in the 1920s as a stage actor in various theaters across Germany. He later transitioned to film acting, appearing in over 200 movies throughout his career. Lingen is best known for his comedic roles, often playing eccentric or bumbling characters.
In addition to his acting work, Lingen also directed and wrote screenplays for a number of films. He was also a skilled musician, playing the piano and composing songs.
Following World War II, Lingen moved to Vienna, Austria where he continued his successful career in the entertainment industry. He became a beloved figure in Austrian culture and was often referred to as "the master of Viennese comedy".
Lingen continued to work as an actor and director until his death in 1978 at the age of 75. He left behind a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment and is still remembered as one of Germany and Austria's most beloved comedic actors.
Throughout his career, Theo Lingen worked with some of the most prominent German and Austrian directors, including Fritz Lang and Ernst Lubitsch. He was also a frequent collaborator with fellow actor and comedian Heinz Rühmann, appearing in many of his most popular films.Lingen's talent and versatility allowed him to successfully transition from silent films to talkies, and from black and white to color films. His most famous roles include Count Georg von Kellinghusen in "Die Feuerzangenbowle" and Professor Bömmel in "Hochzeit auf Immenhof".Lingen was awarded the Bambi Prize for his contributions to the entertainment industry in 1953. He also received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1973.Though he never officially retired, Lingen's later years were plagued by health issues, including heart problems. He passed away in Vienna in 1978 and was buried in the Ober Sankt Veit cemetery.