Here are 5 famous actresses from Poland were born in 1911:
Mina Bern (May 5, 1911 Bielsk Podlaski-January 10, 2010 Manhattan) otherwise known as Mina Bernholtz or Mina Bern Bonus was a Polish actor.
She was born into a Jewish family and began acting at the age of 15 in the Yiddish theater. Bern made her debut in the Warsaw Yiddish theater, where she performed for several years before moving to New York City in the 1930s. She continued to act in Yiddish productions in the city, including the celebrated Yiddish Group Theatre.
In addition to her work in the theater, Bern was also an accomplished radio actress and appeared in several films. She is best known for her role as Mrs. Liebowitz in the 1999 film "Cradle Will Rock."
Bern was a longtime member of the Actors' Equity Association and was renowned for her dedication to promoting Yiddish theater and culture in the United States. She received many awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Yiddish Theatre's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
Despite facing many challenges due to her religion and background, Mina Bern became a prominent figure in the world of theater and acting. In addition to Yiddish productions, she also acted in English plays and Broadway shows such as "The World of Sholom Aleichem" and "Milk and Honey." Bern was a versatile performer and appeared in various TV shows and productions, including "Law & Order" and "One Life to Live." She was known for her warm personality and dedication to her craft, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of actors. In 1998, the National Foundation for Jewish Culture awarded her with the Jewish Cultural Achievement Award for her contributions to Jewish culture in America. Mina Bern passed away in Manhattan at the age of 98, leaving behind a rich legacy of performances and achievements.
Maria Kaniewska (May 27, 1911 Kiev-December 11, 2005 Warsaw) was a Polish actor, screenwriter and film director.
Kaniewska began her career in the 1930s as an actress, appearing in numerous stage productions and films, including the iconic film "Moralnosc Pani Dulskiej" in 1935. She later transitioned to screenwriting and directing, and in 1957, directed her first feature film, "The Cursed House". Over the course of her career, she directed and wrote several notable films and television series, including "The Doll" in 1968 and the series "Polish Roads" in 1970. Kaniewska was also a prominent figure in the Polish arts scene, serving on numerous cultural councils and juries. She was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, one of Poland's highest honors, in 1997 for her contributions to Polish culture.
Kaniewska was born to a family of Polish intelligentsia in Kiev, Ukraine, which was then a part of the Russian Empire. Her father was a noted translator and literary critic, while her mother was an accomplished pianist. The family moved to Poland in 1918, following the country's independence, and settled in Warsaw. Kaniewska developed an interest in acting at a young age and studied at the State Theatre School in Warsaw. In addition to her work in film and theater, Kaniewska also wrote poetry and translated literary works from Russian into Polish. She was married twice, first to the poet and writer Adam Ważyk and later to the actor and director Leon Niemczyk. Kaniewska continued to write and direct into her later years and was recognized as one of Poland's most accomplished and influential cultural figures. She died in Warsaw at the age of 94.
Loda Halama (July 20, 1911 Czerwińsk nad Wisłą-July 13, 1996 Warsaw) also known as Leokadia Halama was a Polish actor and dancer.
She began her career as a dancer in Warsaw and eventually transitioned to acting on stage and in films. Halama is best known for her role in the film "Man of Marble" (1977) directed by Andrzej Wajda, which chronicled the story of a filmmaker's search for information about a 1950s bricklayer who was hailed as a hero of the working class, only to later fall from grace. Halama played the role of Agnieszka's mother in the film. Halama also acted in several other films including "The Promised Land" (1975) and "Zmiennicy" (1986). In addition to her film work, Halama was a successful stage actress and a long-time member of the Teatr Ateneum in Warsaw. She passed away in Warsaw in 1996 at the age of 84.
Aside from her successful acting and dancing career, Loda Halama was also actively involved in the Polish resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II. She was a member of the Home Army, the largest underground resistance group in Europe during that time. Halama's work as a courier and liaison for the Home Army put her in great danger, but she continued to do her part in the resistance until the end of the war. After the war, Halama was recognized for her bravery and was awarded the Cross of Valour by the Polish government. She remained active in various social causes throughout her life, and her legacy as both an actress and a wartime hero continues to inspire many to this day.
Irena Malkiewicz (September 15, 1911 Moscow-January 23, 2004 Warsaw) a.k.a. I. Malkiewicz or Irena Malkiewicz-Domanska was a Polish actor.
She was born into a family of Polish artists in Moscow and moved to Poland with her family in 1919. Her acting career began in the 1930s and she went on to become a prominent figure in the Polish theatre and film industry. Malkiewicz appeared in over 70 films throughout her career, including the 1961 film "Mother Joan of the Angels" which won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. She was also a respected theatre actress and performed on stage until the age of 80. In addition to her acting work, Malkiewicz was also a translator and an author of several books. She was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, and the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Cultural Merit for her contributions to Polish culture.
Malkiewicz was a fluent speaker of several languages, including Russian, Polish, French, English, Spanish, and Italian. In addition to her acting work, she was a passionate advocate for human rights and was involved in several charitable organizations throughout her lifetime. She was married to director and writer Jerzy Domanski, with whom she had two children. Malkiewicz passed away in Warsaw in 2004 at the age of 92 and was buried in Powazki Cemetery alongside other notable Polish figures. Her contributions to Polish theatre and film continue to be celebrated and her legacy lives on as one of the most talented and respected actors in Polish history.
Ethel Reschke (April 24, 1911 Lębork-June 5, 1992 Berlin) also known as Margarete Luise Hedwig Ottilie Reschke was a Polish actor.
During her career, Ethel Reschke appeared in over 30 films and countless stage productions. She initially began acting in the 1930s, becoming a regular performer at the Neues Theater in Berlin. After World War II, she returned to acting and quickly gained popularity in East Germany. She often played maternal roles, portraying warm and loving characters that resonated with audiences. Some of her notable film roles include "The Story of Little Mook," "Die Wannseekonferenz," and "The Adventures of Werner Holt." In addition to acting, Reschke was also known for her work with the deaf community, providing education and support to those in need.
Ethel Reschke was born in Lębork, Poland but her family moved to Berlin when she was still a child. She grew up there and attended drama school at the State Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Berlin. She graduated in 1930 and went on to make her stage debut at the Neues Theater in Berlin. Her talent and hard work soon earned her a permanent position in the theater company, and she went on to act in numerous productions on stage.
During the war, Reschke's career was put on hold, but she continued to hone her craft. In 1945, after the war had ended, she returned to acting and quickly regained her popularity, this time in East Germany. She became a regular performer at the Maxim Gorki Theater, and her performances won the hearts of the East German audience. Over time, she became one of the most beloved actors in the country.
In addition to her acting work, Reschke was also devoted to supporting the deaf community in Germany. She dedicated much of her time to setting up schools and programs to help improve the lives of those who were deaf. She served as the head of the Deaf Department for the East German government for several years and helped to develop programs that supported the deaf community.
Overall, Ethel Reschke was a talented actor who dedicated her life to her craft and to serving others. She passed away in 1992 in Berlin, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with audiences today.