Kaaren Verne was a German-American actress known for her roles in films such as “Ship of Fools,” “All Through the Night,” and “Kings Row.” Born Ingeborg Greta Katerina Marie-Rose Klinckerfuss on April 6, 1918, she became a notable figure in Hollywood during the 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Kaaren Verne was born in Berlin, Germany, and moved to the United States with her first husband, Arthur Young, in 1938. She had two children; her son, Alastair, was born in 1937, and she later adopted a daughter named Catharine with her third husband, James Powers. Kaaren experienced several tumultuous relationships, including a marriage to actor Peter Lorre.
Acting Career
Kaaren began her career in theater before transitioning to film, where she gained recognition for her work in the early 1940s. She often played mysterious roles in films and even appeared alongside Hollywood greats like Humphrey Bogart and Robert Cummings. While she lost momentum after her marriage to Lorre, she continued to work in television and smaller film roles into the 1960s.
Death and Legacy
Kaaren Verne passed away on December 23, 1967, at the age of 49, in her Hollywood home. The circumstances of her death were unclear, with some reports suggesting a heart ailment and others indicating possible suicide. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Minnesota, leaving behind her husband James Powers and her adopted daughter.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ship of Fools | 1965-07-29 | Frau Lutz |
| A Bullet for Joey | 1955-04-15 | Viveca Hartman |
| All Through the Night | 1942-01-10 | Leda Hamilton |
| Sky Murder | 1940-09-27 | Pat Evans (as Karen Verne) |
| Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon | 1942-12-25 | Charlotte Eberli |
| Kings Row | 1942-02-02 | Elise Sandor |
| Underground | 1941-06-28 | Sylvia Helmuth |
| Ten Days in Paris | 1940-06-01 | Diane de Guermantes |
| Madame X | 1966-03-03 | Nurse Riborg |
| The Great Impersonation | 1942-12-18 | Baroness Stephanie Idenbraum |
| The Seventh Cross | 1944-07-24 | Leni (as Karen Verne) |
| The Juggler | 1953-05-11 | Woman Mistaken for Hans’ Wife (uncredited) |
| Outside the Law | 1956-06-01 | Mrs. Pulenski (as Karen Verne) |
| The Bad and the Beautiful | 1952-12-25 | Rosa (uncredited) |
| The Story of Three Loves | 1953-03-26 | Madame Legay |
| Torn Curtain | 1966-07-15 | Stewardess (uncredited) |
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| General Electric Theater | 1953-02-01 | Frau Schuman |
| Bronco | 1958-09-23 | |
| Kraft Suspense Theatre | 1963-10-10 | Inge |
| The Twilight Zone | 1959-10-02 | Innkeeper |
| 12 O’Clock High | 1964-09-18 | Woman Refugee |
| The Untouchables | 1959-10-15 | Landlady |
| The Gale Storm Show | 1956-09-29 | Marya Jezek |