Helene Weigel was an Austrian-American actress who is best known for her roles in Mother Courage and Her Children, Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder, and Señora Carrar’s Rifles. She was a prominent figure in theatre and film during the mid-20th century.
Personal and Family Life
Born on May 12, 1900, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Helene Weigel was the daughter of Siegfried Weigl and Leopoldine Pollak. She had two children, Stefan Becht and Barbara Berg, with her husband, the playwright Bertolt Brecht, whom she married in 1929. Due to their Jewish heritage and opposition to the Nazis, the couple fled Germany in 1933 and eventually settled in the United States in 1941. They returned to Europe in 1947, influenced by Brecht’s political views.
Death and Legacy
Helene Weigel passed away on May 6, 1971, in East Berlin, East Germany. She left behind a significant legacy in the world of theatre, particularly for her impactful performances and contributions to the works of Brecht. Her work remains influential in modern drama and continues to be studied and performed worldwide.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolis | 1927-02-06 | Working Woman (uncredited) |
| Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder | 1961-02-10 | Mutter Courage |
| Die Windrose | 1957-03-08 | Voice (Narração) |
| Katzgraben | 1957-10-19 | Großbäuerin |
| Die Mutter | 1958-11-07 | Pelagewa Wlassowa |
| Kuhle Wampe oder: Wem gehört die Welt? | 1932-05-14 | Ballad singer (voice) |
| Mann ist Mann | 1931-12-31 | |
| Mein Kind | 1956-02-10 | Narrator (voice) |
| Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder | 1957-10-15 | Mutter Courage |