Rose Stradner

Rose Stradner was an American actress best known for her roles in The Last Gangster, Blind Alley, and The Keys of the Kingdom. Born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, she became a prominent figure in both European and American cinema.

Personal and Family Life

Rose Stradner was born Rosa Luise Maria Stradner on July 31, 1913. She began her education at a convent and pursued her dream of acting from a young age. After moving to the United States in 1936, she married Austrian director Karl Heinz Martin, but they divorced a few years later. She later married filmmaker Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1939, and the couple had two sons, Christopher and Tom.

Career

Stradner started her career in theater and German films before making her U.S. debut alongside Edward G. Robinson in The Last Gangster in 1937. Although her career showed promise, it stuttered after her marriage to Mankiewicz, who insisted she retire from acting. While she had minor roles in a few films after this, including a notable appearance in The Keys of the Kingdom, she struggled with her personal life and mental health.

Death and Legacy

Rose Stradner’s life was marked by personal turmoil, which ultimately led to her tragic passing on September 27, 1958, at the age of 45. She died from an overdose of sleeping pills in New York, ending her long battle with depression and emotional distress. Her legacy in film is often overshadowed by her struggles, but her performances remain a testament to her talent.

Filmography