German actresses who were born in 1908
Here are 8 famous actresses from Germany were born in 1908:
Hertha Thiele
Hertha Thiele (May 8, 1908 Leipzig-August 5, 1984 Berlin) was a German actor.
She started her acting career at the age of 18, when she debuted in a silent film called "The Eighth Commandment" in 1926. Throughout her career, she appeared in more than 30 films, including the Nazi propaganda film "Hitler Youth Quex" in 1933. Despite her involvement in the film, Thiele was not a member of the Nazi party and was known for her left-wing politics. After World War II, she continued to act in East German films, such as the 1953 film "The Axe of Wandsbek," which won the Best Director award at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival. Thiele was also a respected stage actress and worked at the Berliner Ensemble in the 1950s. She retired from acting in the 1960s and spent her later years living in Berlin.
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Lya Lys
Lya Lys (May 8, 1908 Berlin-June 2, 1986 Newport Beach) also known as Natalia Lyecht, Natalie Löscht, Natalie Margulis or Nathalie Margoulis was a German actor. She had one child, Joyce Wells.
Lya Lys began her acting career in her native Germany in the 1920s, where she appeared in several films and stage productions. She then moved to Paris in the 1930s and became a star of French cinema. Lys was known for her seductive and mysterious onscreen presence, which earned her the nickname "The Sphinx of the Screen."
In 1933, Lys relocated to Hollywood and began appearing in American films. She made her debut in the film "Masquerade in Mexico" (1945) and went on to appear in several other films throughout the 1940s, including "Night and Day" (1946) and "Northwest Outpost" (1947).
Throughout her career, Lya Lys was known for her distinctive accent, which reflected her European upbringing. She often played exotic and alluring characters, and was praised for her beauty and charisma.
After retiring from acting, Lys lived in Newport Beach, California until her death in 1986. She was remembered by many as a glamorous and enigmatic figure from the golden age of Hollywood.
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Carla Rust
Carla Rust (September 15, 1908 Bremen-December 27, 1977 Bad Hindelang) was a German actor.
She began her acting career in 1928 in Bremen and later moved to Berlin in pursuit of more opportunities. Rust became a prominent character actress appearing in films and television shows throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Some of her notable film roles include "Der Postmeister," "Die Dritte von rechts," and "Alraune." Rust was also a prolific voice-over artist who dubbed the voices of many famous American actresses such as Claudette Colbert, Barbara Stanwyck, and Joan Crawford in German-language versions of their films. She was married to fellow actor Werner Hinz from 1939 until his death in 1950. Rust retired from acting in the 1960s and spent her later years in Bad Hindelang where she passed away at the age of 69.
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Loni Heuser
Loni Heuser (January 22, 1908 Düsseldorf-March 6, 1999 Berlin) also known as Loni Heusser, Apollonia Henriette Heuser, Loni Heuser Mackeben or Heuser, Loni was a German actor.
She began her career in Berlin during the 1920s as a cabaret singer and actress. Heuser became known for her wit, humor and deep, raspy voice which made her very popular in the cabaret scene. She appeared in numerous German films throughout the 1930s and was often cast in comedic roles. In 1933, she left Germany for Switzerland due to the rise of the Nazi party, where she continued to perform in cabarets and theaters.
After World War II, Heuser returned to Germany and continued her career in acting, both on stage and in films. She became a prominent figure in German entertainment industry, performing in theaters and appearing in various TV shows and films. Heuser was known for her versatile acting skills, being able to portray both comedic and dramatic roles with ease. She also appeared in several musical productions, including the German adaptation of "My Fair Lady".
In addition to her work in entertainment, Heuser was also an active social and political commentator. She used her platform to speak out against censorship and the oppression of the arts. She was also known for her support of the LGBTQ+ community, becoming an icon for the community due to her gender non-conforming appearance and her portrayal of lesbian characters in her work.
Loni Heuser passed away in Berlin in 1999 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as one of Germany's most beloved entertainers and influential social activists.
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Paula Denk
Paula Denk (January 18, 1908 Namibia-January 9, 1978 Munich) was a German actor.
She began her acting career in theater and performed in numerous plays in Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. Denk gained international recognition for her role in the German film "Mädchen in Uniform" (Girls in Uniform) in 1931, which became a landmark in lesbian cinema. She continued to work in films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, often portraying strong and independent women. During World War II, Denk faced criticism for her refusal to join the Nazi party, which led to her being banned in 1943 from performing and acting. After the war, she returned to the stage and screen, and gained particular acclaim for her role in the 1955 film "Königswalzer" (The King's Waltz). Denk was also a committed political activist and campaigned for numerous causes, including women's rights and the recognition of Namibian independence. She passed away in Munich in 1978 at the age of 69.
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Ursula Grabley
Ursula Grabley (December 8, 1908 Woltersdorf, Brandenburg-April 3, 1977 Brilon) also known as Ursula Margarete Marie Feodora Grabley was a German actor.
She started her acting career in 1929 and became well-known in the 1930s for her roles in films such as "Melody of the Heart" and "The Yellow Flag". During World War II, she continued to act in films but also helped hide Jewish friends and acquaintances, risking her own life in doing so. After the war, she continued her acting career in West Germany, appearing in films such as "The Devil's General" and "The Confession of Ina Kahr". She was also a sought-after theater actress and worked with notable directors such as Brecht and Piscator. Grabley won several awards for her performances, including the Bambi Award and the German Film Award. In addition to acting, she was also known for her work as a translator, translating works from English to German.
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Evelyn Holt
Evelyn Holt (October 3, 1908 Berlin-February 22, 2002 Los Angeles) also known as Evelyn Sklarz was a German actor.
She began her acting career in Berlin, appearing in several films and stage productions in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1939, she and her husband emigrated to the United States to escape Nazi persecution.
In Hollywood, Holt continued her acting career, appearing in several films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, often playing supporting roles. Some of her notable films include "The Seventh Cross" (1944), "Crack-Up" (1946), and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" (1947).
Holt also worked in television, appearing on shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Perry Mason" in the 1950s and 1960s. Later in life, she became a successful real estate agent in Beverly Hills.
Holt passed away in 2002 at the age of 93.
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Dorothea Wieck
Dorothea Wieck (January 3, 1908 Davos-February 19, 1986 Berlin) was a German actor.
She began her acting career in the 1920s and became well known for her performances in German films during the 1930s. During World War II, Wieck was part of the group of actors and actresses known as the "Ufa Traumfabrik," who were contracted to work for the Nazi regime's film production company. After the war, Wieck worked mostly in the theater, appearing in many productions in Berlin and other cities. She was also a prolific voice actress, dubbing foreign films and TV shows into German. Wieck received numerous awards during her career, including the National Prize of East Germany for her contributions to German culture.
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