Paula Wessely was an Austrian actress known for her roles in Episode, Masquerade in Vienna, and Maria Theresia. Born on January 20, 1907, she had a prominent career in film and theater until her retirement in 1987.
Personal and Family Life
Paula Wessely was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, and later married fellow actor Attila Hörbiger. The couple had three children, including actresses Christiane Hörbiger and Maresa Hörbiger. Wessely was admired by many, including Laurence Olivier, who regarded her as one of the greatest actresses of the twentieth century.
Career
Wessely’s acting career spanned several decades, making her a renowned figure at the Burgtheater in Vienna from 1953 until 1987. Despite her success, she faced criticism for participating in Nazi propaganda films during World War II, which led to controversy regarding her legacy.
Death and Legacy
Paula Wessely passed away on May 11, 2000, in Vienna, Austria, due to natural causes. Her contributions to acting left a significant impact on the Austrian cinema, influencing many actresses and maintaining her status in theatrical history.
Filmography
Title
Release Date
Character
Maskerade
1934-09-27
Leopoldine Dur
Anders als du und ich (§ 175)
1957-08-29
Christa Teichmann
Die Wirtin zur Goldenen Krone
1955-12-20
Fürstin Pia Maria
Der Engel mit der Posaune
1948-08-19
Henriette Alt, geb. Stein
Maria Theresia
1951-12-18
Maria Theresia
Das Licht der Liebe
1954-07-31
Käthe Zeller
Ich und meine Frau
1953-08-03
Sophie Naglmüller
Maria Ilona
1939-12-14
Maria Ilona von Wolkersdorf
Die ganz großen Torheiten
1937-04-29
Therese Brandl
Späte Liebe
1943-02-16
Sophie von Angerspang
Das Herz muß schweigen
1944-12-19
Maximiliane Frey
Vagabunden
1949-10-17
Dr. Elisabeth Kamma
Der Bauer als Millionär
1961-11-24
Die Zufriedenheit
Die unvollkommene Ehe
1959-09-03
Frau Dr. Winifred Lert
Episode
1935-10-31
Valerie Gärtner
Die kluge Marianne
1943-06-10
Ein Leben lang
1940-10-11
Agnes Seethaler
Heimkehr
1941-10-10
Maria Thomas
Spiegel des Lebens
1938-06-07
Johanna ‘Hanna’ Karfreit
Weg in die Vergangenheit
1954-12-20
Gabriele Gärtner
Cordula
1950-09-27
Cordula
Noch minderjährig
1957-05-31
Luise Gottschalk
So endete eine Liebe
1934-10-17
Grand Duchess Marie Louise
Eine Frau ohne Bedeutung
1964-09-17
Mrs. Arbuthnot
Nichts als Erinnerung
1974-01-06
Militza
Der Unbestechliche
1984-01-08
Das weite Land
1960-06-06
Genia Hofreiter
Jedermann
1961-12-21
Glaube
Maria Stuart
1957-01-06
Königin Maria Stuart von Schottland
Fast ein Poet
1968-05-30
Nora Melody
Die Julika
1936-10-25
Julika
Port Royal
1965-05-14
Schwester Angelika vom hl. Johannes
Überfahrt
1963-01-13
Mrs. Midget
Leckerbissen
1948-06-05
Self – film scenes (archive footage)
Der große Zauberer – Max Reinhardt
1973-10-30
Self
Glücksachen
1977-01-01
Anatol
1961-12-15
Gabriele
Von Reinhardt bis Karajan – 50 Jahre Salzburger Festspiele
1970-08-16
Hero (archive footage)
Eine Stadt als Bühne – 100 Jahre Salzburger Festspiele
David Dunbar was an Australian-American actor who is best known for The Streets of London, Leatherstocking, and The Non-Stop Flight. He was born on September […]