Gustaf Gründgens was a German actor and director who is best known for his roles in “M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder,” “Faust,” and “Dance on the Volcano.” With a career spanning several decades, he is remembered for his powerful performances and significant contributions to theater and film.
Personal and Family Life
Gustaf Gründgens was born Gustav Heinrich Arnold Gründgens on December 22, 1899, in Düsseldorf, Germany. He changed his first name from Gustav to Gustaf to distinguish himself. He married actress Marianne Hoppe in 1936, a relationship often referred to as a “lavender marriage” due to its perceived nature. He was also married to actress Erika Mann from 1926 to 1929.
Career Highlights
After completing his education, Gründgens served in World War I and later trained in acting at the Düsseldorf Theater School. He began his career in theater, eventually taking on numerous roles and directing productions. His film career took off in the 1930s, and he became known for portraying complex characters, including villains and seducers. He was appointed general director of the Prussian State Theater in 1937, showcasing his directorial talents alongside acting.
Death and Legacy
Gustaf Gründgens passed away from a stomach hemorrhage on October 7, 1963, in Manila, Philippines, during his world travels. His death sparked speculation about whether it was a suicide, as he left behind a note indicating he had taken too many sleeping pills. Gründgens’ legacy continues to influence the arts, and he is often remembered for his remarkable contributions to theater and film.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| M – Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder | 1931-05-11 | Schränker |
| Der Tunnel | 1933-10-26 | Mr. Woolf |
| Liebelei | 1933-03-10 | Baron v. Eggersdorff |
| Die Gräfin von Monte-Christo | 1932-04-21 | Der ‘Baron’ Hochstapler |
| Tanz auf dem Vulkan | 1938-11-30 | Jean-Gaspard Debureau |
| Danton | 1931-01-21 | Robespierre |
| Faust | 1960-09-30 | Mephisto |
| Friedemann Bach | 1941-06-25 | Wilhelm Friedemann Bach |
| Hokuspokus | 1930-07-10 | Staatsanwalt Dr.Wilke |
| Kapriolen | 1937-08-09 | Jack Warren |
| Das Mädchen Johanna | 1935-04-26 | König Karl VII. von Frankreich |
| Der Raub der Mona Lisa | 1931-08-24 | Unbekannter |
| Schwarzer Jäger Johanna | 1934-09-05 | Dr. Frost, politischer Agent |
| Das Glas Wasser | 1960-07-05 | Sir Henry St. John |
| Yorck | 1931-12-23 | Karl August Fürst von Hardenberg |
| Pygmalion | 1935-09-01 | Professor Higgins |
| Ohm Krüger | 1941-01-02 | Joseph Chamberlain |
| Teilnehmer antwortet nicht | 1932-08-18 | Fahrlehrer |
| Eine Frau ohne Bedeutung | 1936-10-26 | Lord George Illingworth |
| Die schönen Tage von Aranjuez | 1933-09-21 | Alexander |
| So endete eine Liebe | 1934-10-17 | Count Metternich |
| Luise, Königin von Preußen | 1931-12-04 | König Friedrich Wilhelm III |
| Ich glaub’ nie mehr an eine Frau | 1930-02-03 | Jean |
| Le Tunnel | 1933-12-15 | Woolf |
| Hundert Tage | 1935-03-22 | Fouché |
| Das Erbe von Pretoria | 1934-10-18 | Eugen Schliebach |
| Une histoire d’amour | 1933-03-10 | Baron von Eggersdorf |
| Brand in der Oper | 1930-10-13 | Otto van Lingen |
| A Physical History of ‘M’ | 2015-04-14 | Schränker (archive) |
| Hitlers Hollywood | 2017-02-23 | Various Roles (archive footage) |
| Das Jahrhundert des Theaters | 2002-04-06 | Self (archive footage) |
| Zur Person | 1963-04-10 | Self |