Osa Massen (born Aase Madsen Iversen, 13 January 1914 – 2 January 2006) was a Danish actress who became a successful movie actress in Hollywood. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1941.

Background and early career

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, she began her career as a newspaper photographer, then became an actress. She first came to the United States in 1937. She was recorded as Aase Madsen-Iversen, Danish actress, aged 23, on the manifest of the S/S ''Normandie'', which sailed from Southampton, England, on December 18, 1937, and arrived at the Port of New York on December 23, 1937. Massen's first film was ''

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'' (1935). She notably appeared as

Melvyn Douglas Melvyn Douglas (born Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg, April 5, 1901 – August 4, 1981) was an American actor. Douglas came to prominence in the 1930s as a suave leading man, perhaps best typified by his performance in the romantic comedy ''Ninotchk ...

' unfaithful wife dealing with blackmailer

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in ''

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'' (1941). She also appeared as a mysterious woman with something to hide in '' Deadline at Dawn'' (1946). She also starred with

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in the movie ''

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'' (1950), the first space adventure of the post-World War II era. Later in her career, Massen appeared in guest roles on many television programs. She made three guest appearances on '' Perry Mason''. In 1958, she played Lisa Bannister in "The Case of the Desperate Daughter", where she was reunited with her "Master Race" daughter Gigi Perreau, and in 1959, she played Sarah Werner in "The Case of the Shattered Dream". Her last television role was in 1962 when she played Lisa Pedersen in "The Case of the Tarnished Trademark".

Personal life

She was married three times, each with a relatively short duration, including once to Allan Hersholt, the son of

Jean Hersholt Jean Pierre Carl Buron (12 July 1886 – 2 June 1956), known professionally as Jean Hersholt, was a Danish-American actor. He is best known for starring on the radio series '' Dr. Christian'' (1937–1954) and in the film '' Heidi'' (1937).Obitu ...

, on December 15, 1938.

Death

Massen died on January 2, 2006, 11 days before her 92nd birthday, following unspecified surgery in Hollywood, California.The book ''Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2006: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture'' says Massen "... died of complications from surgery in a Santa Monica, California, convalescent home ...". Her remains are buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California with a plaque that lists her name as Osa Massen Vogel.

Filmography

Notes

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Massen, Osa 1914 births 2006 deaths 20th-century Danish actresses American film actresses American television actresses Danish emigrants to the United States Danish film actresses Actresses from Copenhagen Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery 20th-century American actresses Naturalized citizens of the United States 21st-century American women