Emil Jannings
First Oscar-winning actor whose accent ended his Hollywood career.
Emil Jannings (born Theodor Friedrich Emil Janenz; 23 July 1884 – 2 January 1950) was a Swiss-born German actor who rose to prominence on the stage before achieving international fame in silent cinema. The son of an American businessman from St. Louis and a German mother, he was raised in Leipzig and Görlitz after his father’s early death. He ran away from school to work at sea, but upon returning, his mother permitted him to train at a local theatre, launching a stage career that began in 1901 with companies in Bremen, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Königsberg, and Glogau. By 1915 he was a permanent member of Max Reinhardt’s Deutsches Theater ensemble in Berlin, where he collaborated with figures such as playwright Karl Vollmöller, filmmaker Ernst Lubitsch, and photographer Frieda Riess, all contributors to Weimar culture. His breakthrough came in 1918 playing Judge Adam in Kleist’s *The Broken Jug* at the Schauspielhaus.
Though he moved into film, Jannings remained frustrated by the limited expressive range of silent acting. Signed with UFA, he starred opposite Pola Negri in *The Eyes of the Mummy* (1918) and *Madame Dubarry* (1919), and later played the title role in *Othello* (1922) and a demoted hotel doorman in F. W. Murnau’s *The Last Laugh* (1924). He also worked with Murnau on *Tartuffe* (1925) and *Faust* (1926). His popularity led to a Paramount contract in Hollywood, where his first American film, Victor Fleming’s now-lost *The Way of All Flesh*, was released in 1927. The following year he performed in Josef von Sternberg’s *The Last Command*, and in 1929 he became the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor for both films—the only German ever to win that category. He also starred in Mauritz Stiller’s *Street of Sin* (1928). When his voice was dubbed in Lubitsch’s part-talkie *The Patriot*, he objected and had his original voice restored. In Europe, he starred opposite Marlene Dietrich in *The Blue Angel* (1930), filmed simultaneously in English and German. His thick German accent proved difficult for American audiences, ending his Hollywood career.
After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Jannings remained in Germany and prolonged his career by making State Films that promoted Nazism, portraying unyielding historical figures in works such as *Der alte und der junge König* (1934), *Der Herrscher* (1937), *Robert Koch* (1939), *Ohm Krüger* (194
- born
- 23 July 1884, Rorschach, Switzerland
- died
- 2 January 1950, Strobl, Austria
- field
- Actor
- nationality
- German (later Austrian citizen in 1947)
- known_for
- First Academy Award for Best Actor; films with F. W. Murnau and Josef von Sternberg; *The Blue Angel*
Lore & Background
Jannings was born in Rorschach, Switzerland, the son of Emil Janenz, an American businessman from St. Louis, and his wife Margarethe (née Schwabe), originally from Germany. He held German citizenship; while still young the family moved to Leipzig and later to Görlitz after his father's early death. Jannings ran away from school and went to sea, then began a theatre traineeship in Görlitz. From 1901 he worked with theatre companies in Bremen, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Königsberg, and Glogau before joining the Deutsches Theater under Max Reinhardt in Berlin. His breakthrough was in 1918 as Judge Adam in Kleist's Broken Jug. He signed with UFA and starred in silent films including Die Augen der Mumie Ma (1918) and Madame Dubarry (1919), both with Pola Negri. He performed in the 1922 film version of Othello and in F. W. Murnau's 1924 film The Last Laugh. He worked with Murnau on Tartuffe (1925) and Faust (1926). His popularity led him to sign with Paramount and go to Hollywood. His first American film, The Way of All Flesh (1927), is now lost. In 1928 he performed in Josef von Sternberg's The Last Command. In 1929 he won the first Best Actor Oscar for both films. He also made Street of Sin (1928). Jannings was dubbed in Lubitsch's part-talkie The Patriot (1928), but his own voice was restored after he objected. In Europe, he starred opposite Marlene Dietrich in 1930's The Blue Angel, filmed simultaneously in English and German. Jannings' thick German accent was difficult to understand, ending his American career. According to Susan Orlean, Jannings may have been the runner-up for the first Best Actor Oscar, with the winner allegedly being the dog Rin Tin Tin, but this claim is otherwise unverified and labeled untrue by most sources. In 1960, Jannings was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1630 Vine Street. After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Jannings stayed on and made State Films promoting Nazism, including Der alte und der junge König (1934), Der Herrscher (1937), Robert Koch (1939), Ohm Krüger (1941), and Die Entlassung (1942). He also took part in The Broken Jug directed by Gustav Ucicky. Joseph Goebbels named him an 'Artist of the State'. The filming of Wo ist Herr Belling? was aborted when Allied troops entered Germany in 1945. Jannings reportedly carried his Oscar as proof of his ties to America. His association with Nazi pro
Reader's Guide
Emil Jannings, a Swiss-born German actor, rose to prominence in silent cinema, though he found the medium’s limited expressive range frustrating. His breakthrough came on stage, and he later worked with directors F. W. Murnau on several films, including a role as a demoted hotel doorman. His popularity led him to Hollywood, where he signed with Paramount Pictures. He won the first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performances in two films, making him the only German ever to win that category. His thick accent proved difficult to understand in early sound films, which ended his American career. He returned to Europe to star in *The Blue Angel*, a film intended to launch him in sound cinema, but he was overshadowed by his co-star. Following the Nazi seizure of power, Jannings remained in Germany and extended his career by starring in State Films that promoted Nazi ideology, often portraying unyielding historical figures. For this work, he was named an “Artist of the State” by the propaganda minister. After the war, his close association with Nazi propaganda subjected him to denazification, and he never acted again. His former co-star, who became an anti-Nazi activist, particularly loathed him for these ties. Jannings died of liver cancer in 1950, and his Oscar statuette is displayed at a Berlin film museum.
Did You Know?
- Jannings was the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor.
- He remains the only German ever to win the Best Actor Oscar.
- His thick German accent ended his American career after The Blue Angel.
- He was named an 'Artist of the State' by Joseph Goebbels.
- His Oscar statuette is displayed at the Berlin Filmmuseum.
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