Lil Dagover was an American actress known for her roles in “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” “Congress Dances,” and “The Kreutzer Sonata.” Born on September 30, 1887, in Madiun, Dutch East Indies, she became one of the prominent figures in German cinema.
Personal and Family Life
Lil Dagover, born Marie Antonia Siegelinde Martha Seubert, spent her early years in Indonesia before moving to Europe for education at the age of ten. After becoming an orphan at thirteen, she lived with friends and relatives. Lil had two significant marriages, first to Fritz Daghofer in 1917, from whom she divorced in 1919, and later to Georg Witt in 1926, until his passing in 1973.
Career
Dagover’s film career began with her debut in Fritz Lang’s “Harakiri” in 1919, followed by a notable role in “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” She became famous for playing delicate, threatened heroines and continued to act during the Nazi era, entertaining troops with her performances. Despite her success, she often misrepresented her age, claiming to be a decade younger until the truth emerged posthumously.
Death and Legacy
Lil Dagover passed away on January 23, 1980, in Munich, Germany, at the age of 92. She was buried at the Waldfriedhof Grünwald cemetery. Her contributions to cinema have left a lasting impact, especially in the realm of German expressionist film.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari | 1920-02-27 | Jane |
| Buddenbrooks – 1. Teil | 1959-11-10 | Elisabeth Buddenbrook |
| Phantom | 1922-11-13 | Marie Starke |
| Der müde Tod | 1921-10-06 | Young Woman / Zobeide / Mona Fiametta / Tiao Tsien |
| Die seltsame Gräfin | 1961-11-08 | Gräfin / Lady Leonora Moron |
| Die Brüder Schellenberg | 1926-03-22 | Esther |
| Herr Tartüff | 1926-01-25 | Frau Elmire / Elmire, Orgon’s wife |
| The Woman from Monte Carlo | 1932-01-09 | Lottie Corlaix |
| Die Spinnen, 1. Teil – Der Goldene See | 1919-10-03 | Sun Priestess Naela |
| Monte Cristo | 1929-04-30 | Mercédès / Comtesse de Morcerf |