Olga Baclanova was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Freaks, The Man Who Laughs, and The Docks of New York.
Personal and Family Life
Born on August 19, 1893, in Moscow, Russia, Olga was one of six children in her family. She married three times, with her last husband being Richard Davis, whom she married in 1937. Olga had one son, Nicholas Soussanin Jr., from her previous marriage, and she remained active in the arts throughout her life.
Career Highlights
Olga Baclanova had a notable career that began with her training at the Cherniavsky Institute in Moscow and the Moscow Art Theatre. After defecting to the U.S., she gained recognition in Hollywood with her performances in silent films and early talkies. Some of her most memorable roles were in groundbreaking films like Freaks and The Man Who Laughs. She later transitioned to the Broadway stage and toured with various productions.
Death and Legacy
Olga Baclanova passed away on September 6, 1974, in Vevey, Switzerland, after dealing with health issues. Her contributions to film and theatre have been acknowledged by many historians and film enthusiasts. She left behind a legacy of powerful performances, particularly noted for her role as Cleopatra in Freaks, which has become a cult classic.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Docks of New York | 1928-09-16 | Lou |
| Forgotten Faces | 1928-08-05 | Lilly Harlow |
| The Man Who Laughs | 1928-04-27 | Duchess Josiana |
| The Man I Love | 1929-05-25 | Sonia Barondoff |
| A Dangerous Woman | 1929-05-16 | Tania Gregory |
| Downstairs | 1932-08-06 | Baroness Eloise von Burgen |
| The Great Lover | 1931-07-18 | Savarova |
| Claudia | 1943-11-04 | Madame Daruschka |
| Cheer Up and Smile | 1930-06-22 | Yvonne |
| Avalanche | 1928-11-10 | Grace Stillwell |
| Three Sinners | 1928-04-13 | Baroness Hilda Brings |
| The Woman Disputed | 1928-09-01 | Countess |
| Khleb | 1918-11-07 | |
| The Street of Sin | 1928-05-26 | Annie |
| Are You There? | 1930-11-30 | Countess Helenka |
| The Wolf of Wall Street | 1929-02-09 | Olga |
| Цветы запоздалые | 1917-03-19 | |
| The Billion Dollar Scandal | 1933-01-06 | “Goo Goo” [script name: Anna] |
| Тот, кто получает пощечины | 1916-01-01 | |
| Freaks | 1932-01-01 | Cleopatra |
| Загробная скиталица | 1915-08-06 | |
| Когда звучат струны сердца | 1914-01-01 |