Elissa Landi was an American actor known for her roles in films such as “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “After the Thin Man,” and “The Sign of the Cross.” Born on December 6, 1904, in Venice, Italy, she had a successful career that spanned stage and screen.
Personal and Family Life
Elissa Landi, born Elizabeth Marie Christine Kühnelt, was the daughter of Richard Kühnelt and Caroline. She had an elder brother named Anthony Franz Kühnelt. She became an American citizen in 1943 and had two marriages, first to John Cecil Lawrence and later to Curtiss Thomas, with whom she had one daughter.
Career
Elissa began her career with the Oxford Repertory Company and made her entry into films in the late 1920s. Her performances in plays and films were notable, with significant roles in productions such as “Othello” and “Blithe Spirit.” She gained acclaim for her acting in early Hollywood films, but later shifted focus to writing and theater after her film career winded down.
Death and Legacy
Elissa Landi passed away from cancer on October 21, 1948, in Kingston, New York, at the age of 43. Her legacy includes not only her contributions to film and theater but also her literary works, comprising six novels and poetry. Today, she is remembered as a talented actress with a captivating on-screen presence.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Underground | 1928-07-01 | Nell |
| After the Thin Man | 1936-12-25 | Selma Forrest Landis |
| The Count of Monte Cristo | 1934-09-06 | Mercedes |
| The Warrior’s Husband | 1933-04-28 | Antiope |
| The Sign of the Cross | 1932-11-30 | Mercia |
| Enter Madame | 1935-01-04 | Lisa Della Robbia |
| The Yellow Ticket | 1931-10-30 | Marya Kalish |
| Mad Holiday | 1936-11-13 | Peter Dean |
| Corregidor | 1943-03-29 | Dr. Royce Lee Stockman |
| A Passport to Hell | 1932-08-25 | Myra Carson |
| Body and Soul | 1931-02-22 | Carla |