Fritz Kortner was an Austrian-American actor renowned for his roles in theater and film, particularly noted for performances as Danton in both stage and screen adaptations. He was born on May 12, 1892, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria) and passed away on July 22, 1970, in Munich, West Germany.
Personal and Family Life
Fritz Kortner was married to Johanna Hofer, with whom he had two children. He began studying acting at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna and made his debut on stage in 1910. Throughout his life, he was influenced by his Jewish heritage and the challenges he faced due to the Nazi regime.
Career Highlights
Kortner became well-known after his time with Max Reinhardt’s Deutsches Theater in Berlin, where he took on classical roles like Shylock and Othello. After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933 due to persecution, he worked in England and Hollywood until 1947, primarily in character roles, often related to anti-Nazi themes. He returned to Germany to act and direct, bringing new interpretations to classic works, particularly those by Shakespeare and Molière.
Death and Legacy
Fritz Kortner died on July 22, 1970, from leukemia in Munich. His legacy is marked by his influential performances and directorial work, which continue to resonate in both German theater and cinema. Kortner is remembered as a versatile character actor who faced significant challenges in his life yet contributed greatly to the arts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Die Büchse der Pandora | 1929-01-30 | Dr. Ludwig Schön |
| The Brasher Doubloon | 1947-02-06 | Vannier |
| Orlacs Hände | 1924-09-24 | Nera |
| Berlin Express | 1948-05-01 | Franzen |
| The Vicious Circle | 1948-07-21 | Joseph Schwartz |
| The Razor’s Edge | 1946-11-19 | Kosti |
| Schatten – Eine nächtliche Halluzination | 1923-10-16 | The Count |
| Die Frau, nach der man sich sehnt | 1929-04-29 | Dr. Karoff |
| Hintertreppe | 1921-12-11 | Der Postbote |
| Chu Chin Chow | 1934-05-01 | Abu Hasan |
| Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen | 1929-09-17 | Capt. Fernando Vela |
| Abdul the Damned | 1935-08-05 | The Sultan, Abdul Hamid II & Kislar |
| The Strange Death of Adolf Hitler | 1943-09-10 | Bauer |
| Midnight Menace | 1937-05-04 | Minister Peters of Grovnia |
| Somewhere in the Night | 1946-06-12 | Anzelmo aka Dr. Oracle |
| Der Andere | 1930-08-11 | Staatsanwalt Hallers |
| Danton | 1931-01-21 | Danton |