Werner Johannes Krauss (''Krauß'' in German; 23 June 1884 – 20 October 1959) was a German stage and film actor. Krauss dominated the German stage of the early 20th century. However, his participation in the

antisemitic Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism. Ant ...

propaganda film ''

Jud Süß (, "Süss the Jew") is a 1940 Nazi German historical drama and propaganda film produced by Terra Film at the behest of Joseph Goebbels. It is considered one of the most antisemitic films of all time. The film was directed by Veit Harlan, who ...

'' and his collaboration with the

Nazis Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in N ...

made him a controversial figure.

Early life

Krauss was born at the parsonage of Gestungshausen bei

Sonnefeld Sonnefeld is a municipality in the district of Coburg in Bavaria in Germany. Geographical Location Sonnefeld lies on Bundesstraße 303 between Coburg and Kronach and also between the Thuringian Forest and the Lichtenfels Forest. Municipal Di ...

Upper Franconia Upper Franconia (german: Oberfranken) is a ''Regierungsbezirk'' (administrative 'Regierungs''region 'bezirk'' of the state of Bavaria, southern Germany. It forms part of the historically significant region of Franconia, the others being Middle F ...

, where his grandfather was a

Protestant Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...

pastor. He spent his childhood in Breslau and from 1901 attended the teacher's college at Kreuzburg. After it became known that he worked as an

extra Extra or Xtra may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Film * ''The Extra'' (1962 film), a Mexican film * ''The Extra'' (2005 film), an Australian film Literature * ''Extra'' (newspaper), a Brazilian newspaper * ''Extra!'', an American me ...

at the Breslau Lobe-Theater, he was suspended from classes and decided to join a travelling theatre company.

Acting career

In 1903 he debuted at the Guben municipal theatre. Although never trained as an actor, he continued to play in

Magdeburg Magdeburg (; nds, label=Low Saxon, Meideborg ) is the capital and second-largest city of the German state Saxony-Anhalt. The city is situated at the Elbe river. Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor and founder of the Archdiocese of Magdebu ...

, in

Bromberg Bydgoszcz ( , , ; german: Bromberg) is a city in northern Poland, straddling the meeting of the River Vistula with its left-bank tributary, the Brda. With a city population of 339,053 as of December 2021 and an urban agglomeration with mor ...

at the

Theater Aachen Theater Aachen is a theatre in Aachen, Germany. It is the principal venue in that city for operas, musical theatre and plays. It is the home of the Aachen Symphony Orchestra. The original project was by Johann Peter Cremer, later altered by Ka ...

, in

Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...

and in

Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and ...

. By the agency of

Alexander Moissi Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

, in 1913 he met the theatre director

Max Reinhardt Max Reinhardt (; born Maximilian Goldmann; 9 September 1873 – 30 October 1943) was an Austrian-born theatre and film director, intendant, and theatrical producer. With his innovative stage productions, he is regarded as one of the most pr ...

, who took Krauss to his Deutsches Theater in

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitu ...

. However, Krauss initially only gained minor and secondary roles like

King Claudius King Claudius is a fictional character and the main antagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Hamlet''. He is the brother to King Hamlet, second husband to Gertrude and uncle and later stepfather to Prince Hamlet. He obtained the throne of ...

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'' or

Mephistopheles Mephistopheles (, ), also known as Mephisto, is a demon featured in German folklore. He originally appeared in literature as the demon in the Faust legend, and he has since appeared in other works as a stock character (see: Mephistopheles ...

Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as tr ...

's ''

Faust Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust ( 1480–1540). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil at a crossroa ...

'', wherefore after his military discharge as a

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Af ...

of the

Imperial German Navy The Imperial German Navy or the Imperial Navy () was the navy of the German Empire, which existed between 1871 and 1919. It grew out of the small Prussian Navy (from 1867 the North German Federal Navy), which was mainly for coast defence. Wilhel ...

in 1916 he also pursued a career as a film actor. Krauss' first film role was in

Richard Oswald Richard Oswald (5 November 1880 – 11 September 1963) was an Austrian film director, producer, screenwriter, and father of German-American film director Gerd Oswald. Early career Richard Oswald, born in Vienna as Richard W. Ornstein, began ...

's 1916 ''

Tales of Hoffmann ''The Tales of Hoffmann'' (French: ) is an by Jacques Offenbach. The French libretto was written by Jules Barbier, based on three short stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, who is the protagonist of the story. It was Offenbach's final work; he died in ...

''. Committed to playing sinister characters, he became a worldwide sensation for his demonic portrayal of the titular character in

Robert Wiene Robert Wiene (; 27 April 1873 – 17 July 1938) was a film director of the silent era of German cinema. He is particularly known for directing the German silent film ''The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' and a succession of other German Expressionism, ...

's film '' The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' (1920), considered a milestone of

German Expressionism German Expressionism () consisted of several related creative movements in Germany before the First World War that reached a peak in Berlin during the 1920s. These developments were part of a larger Expressionist movement in north and central ...

. Krauss also played the

title role The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piece. The title of ...

Othello ''Othello'' (full title: ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'') is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, probably in 1603, set in the contemporary Ottoman–Venetian War (1570–1573) fought for the control of the Island of Cyp ...

in a 1920 adaption, and played

Iago Iago () is a fictional character in Shakespeare's ''Othello'' (c. 1601–1604). Iago is the play's main antagonist, and Othello's standard-bearer. He is the husband of Emilia, who is in turn the attendant of Othello's wife Desdemona. Iago ha ...

in a 1922 film adaptation. He was prominently featured in

Paul Leni Paul Leni (born Paul Josef Levi; 8 July 1885 – 2 September 1929) was a German filmmaker and a key figure in German Expressionism, making '' Hintertreppe'' (1921) and '' Waxworks'' (1924) in Germany, and '' The Cat and the Canary'' (1927), '' ...

's '' Waxworks'' (1924),

F.W. Murnau Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau (born Friedrich Wilhelm Plumpe; December 28, 1888March 11, 1931) was a German film director, producer and screenwriter. He was greatly influenced by Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Shakespeare and Ibsen plays he had seen at th ...

's ''

Tartuffe ''Tartuffe, or The Impostor, or The Hypocrite'' (; french: Tartuffe, ou l'Imposteur, ), first performed in 1664, is a theatrical comedy by Molière. The characters of Tartuffe, Elmire, and Orgon are considered among the greatest classical thea ...

,'' and '' The Student of Prague'' (1926). In 1924 Krauss continued his theatre career by joining the ensemble of the Prussian State Theatre in Berlin. He again appeared on stage of the Deutsches Theater from 1926, as in Strindberg's ''

A Dream Play ''A Dream Play'' ( sv, Ett drömspel) is a fantasy play in 14 scenes written in 1901 by the Swedish playwright August Strindberg. It was published in Swedish in 1902 and first performed in Stockholm on 17 April 1907. It remains one of Strindberg ...

'' filling five roles or as

Wilhelm Voigt Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt (13 February 1849 – 3 January 1922) was a German impostor who, in 1906, masqueraded as a Prussian military officer, rounded up a number of soldiers under his "command", and "confiscated" more than 4,000 marks from a mu ...

in the 1931 premiere of

Carl Zuckmayer Carl Zuckmayer (27 December 1896 – 18 January 1977) was a German writer and playwright. His older brother was the pedagogue, composer, conductor, and pianist Eduard Zuckmayer. Life and career Born in Nackenheim in Rhenish Hesse, he was ...

's '' The Captain of Köpenick''. He also performed at the Vienna

Burgtheater The Burgtheater (literally:"Castle Theater" but alternatively translated as "(Imperial) Court Theater"), originally known as '' K.K. Theater an der Burg'', then until 1918 as the ''K.K. Hofburgtheater'', is the national theater of Austria in V ...

, and guest performances even brought him to

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

and on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, where Max Reinhardt staged

Karl Vollmöller Karl Gustav Vollmöller (or Vollmoeller; 7 May 1878 – 18 October 1948) was a German philologist, archaeologist, poet, playwright, screenwriter, and aircraft designer. He is most famous for the elaborate religious spectacle-pantomime '' The Mira ...

's '' The Miracle'' in 1924. Krauss' consummate skills in characterization earned him the title of "the man with a thousand faces". His fellow actress

Elisabeth Bergner Elisabeth Bergner (22 August 1897 – 12 May 1986) was an Austrian-British actress. Primarily a stage actress, her career flourished in Berlin and Paris before she moved to London to work in films. Her signature role was Gemma Jones in '' Esca ...

called him "the greatest actor of all time" and a "demonic genius" in her memoirs.

Oskar Werner Oskar Werner (; born Oskar Josef Bschließmayer; 13 November 1922 23 October 1984) was an Austrian stage and cinema actor whose prominent roles include two 1965 films, '' The Spy Who Came in from the Cold'' and ''Ship of Fools''. Other notable ...

, born Oskar Josef Bschließmayer, chose his stage name in Krauss' honour.

Nazi Germany

Krauss was an unapologetic

antisemite Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism. Antis ...

who supported the

Nazi Party The Nazi Party, officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party (german: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), was a far-right political party in Germany active between 1920 and 1945 that created and supported t ...

and its ideology. While the Nazis seized power in Berlin in January 1933, Krauss joined the Vienna Burgtheater ensemble to perform as

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

in ''100 Tage'' (''Campo di maggio''), a drama written by

Giovacchino Forzano Giovacchino Forzano (; 19 November 1884 – 28 October 1970) was an Italian playwright, librettist, stage and film director. A resourceful writer, he authored numerous popular plays and produced opera librettos for most of the major Italian comp ...

together with

Benito Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (; 29 July 188328 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in ...

, whereafter he was received by the Italian dictator and also made the acquaintance of Nazi Propaganda Minister

Joseph Goebbels Paul Joseph Goebbels (; 29 October 1897 – 1 May 1945) was a German Nazi politician who was the '' Gauleiter'' (district leader) of Berlin, chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, and then Reich Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to ...

. In the course of the totalitarian ''

Gleichschaltung The Nazi term () or "coordination" was the process of Nazification by which Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party successively established a system of totalitarian control and coordination over all aspects of German society and societies occupied b ...

'' process, Krauss was appointed Vice President of the ''

Reichskulturkammer The Reich Chamber of Culture (''Reichskulturkammer'') was a government agency in Nazi Germany. It was established by law on 22 September 1933 in the course of the ''Gleichschaltung'' process at the instigation of Reich Minister Joseph Goebbels as ...

'' theatre department and served in that capacity from 1933 to 1935. In 1934, Krauss was designated as a ''

Staatsschauspieler The term state actor (in German: ''Staatsschauspieler'') has had different meanings in recent German history. In Nazi Germany, it was the highest title that could be awarded to a stage actor. Since 1945, the meaning has changed. In Baden-Württemb ...

'' ('State Actor', i.e. an actor of national importance). Upon the death of Reich President

Paul von Hindenburg Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg (; abbreviated ; 2 October 1847 – 2 August 1934) was a German field marshal and statesman who led the Imperial German Army during World War I and later became President of Germany fr ...

in August, he signed the '' Aufruf der Kulturschaffenden'' to merge of the offices of President and Chancellor in the person of

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor in 1933 and the ...

. Goebbels and Hitler rated Krauss as a cultural ambassador of

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (lit. "National Socialist State"), ' (lit. "Nazi State") for short; also ' (lit. "National Socialist Germany") (officially known as the German Reich from 1933 until 1943, and the Greater German Reich from 1943 to 1945) was ...

. Krauss and Max Reinhardt worked together for the last time at the 1937

Salzburg Festival The Salzburg Festival (german: Salzburger Festspiele) is a prominent festival of music and drama established in 1920. It is held each summer (for five weeks starting in late July) in the Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Ama ...

, staging

's ''

'' (with Krauss as

) in the

Felsenreitschule The Felsenreitschule (literally "rock riding school") is a theatre in Salzburg, Austria and a venue of the Salzburg Festival. History A first Baroque theatre was erected in 1693–94 at the behest of the Salzburg prince-archbishop Johann Ernst vo ...

theatre, shortly before Reinhardt emigrated to the United States. In 1940, Krauss simultaneously played the roles of six stereotypical Jewish characters – among them Rabbi Loew and Sekretar Levy – in

Veit Harlan Veit Harlan (22 September 1899 – 13 April 1964) was a German film director and actor. Harlan reached the highpoint of his career as a director in the Nazi era; most notably his antisemitic film '' Jud Süß'' (1940) makes him controversia ...

's antisemitic propaganda film ''

'', implementing Harlan's concept of a common Jewish root. When asked by

Wolfgang Liebeneiner Wolfgang Georg Louis Liebeneiner (6 October 1905 – 28 November 1987) was a German actor, film director and theatre director. Beginnings He was born in Liebau in Prussian Silesia. In 1928, he was taught by Otto Falckenberg, the director of th ...

about the devastating effects of his performance, he replied: "that's no concern of mine – I'm an actor!" Krauss also played

Shylock Shylock is a fictional character in William Shakespeare's play ''The Merchant of Venice'' (c. 1600). A Venetian Jewish moneylender, Shylock is the play's principal antagonist. His defeat and conversion to Christianity form the climax of the ...

Lothar Müthel Lothar Müthel (né Lothar Max Lütcke; 18 February 1896 – 4 September 1964) was a German stage and film actor and director. Career Müthel was born in Berlin, where he attended the acting school of Max Reinhardt, ''Schauspielschule, Ber ...

's defamatory production of ''

The Merchant of Venice ''The Merchant of Venice'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. A merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Although classified as ...

'' staged at the Burgtheater in 1943. In 1944, Krauss was added to the " ''Gottbegnadeten'' list" of indispensable German artists, which exempted him from military service in the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the '' Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previo ...

forces, including service on the

home front Home front is an English language term with analogues in other languages. It is commonly used to describe the full participation of the British public in World War I who suffered Zeppelin raids and endured food rations as part of what came t ...

Postwar

After the war, Krauss had to leave his home in Mondsee near

Salzburg Salzburg (, ; literally "Salt-Castle"; bar, Soizbuag, label=Austro-Bavarian) is the fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2020, it had a population of 156,872. The town is on the site of the Roman settlement of ''Iuvavum''. Salzburg was founded ...

and was expelled from

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

. He also was banned from performing on stage and in films in Germany. His films were proscribed and he was ordered to undergo a

denazification Denazification (german: link=yes, Entnazifizierung) was an Allied initiative to rid German and Austrian society, culture, press, economy, judiciary, and politics of the Nazi ideology following the Second World War. It was carried out by remov ...

program from 1947 to 1948, whereafter he could return to Austria to become a

naturalized citizen Naturalization (or naturalisation) is the legal act or process by which a non-citizen of a country may acquire citizenship or nationality of that country. It may be done automatically by a statute, i.e., without any effort on the part of the in ...

. In 1950, he again performed as ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' at the Ruhr Festival in

Recklinghausen Recklinghausen (; Westphalian: ''Riäkelhusen'') is the northernmost city in the Ruhr-Area and the capital of the Recklinghausen district. It borders the rural Münsterland and is characterized by large fields and farms in the north and indust ...

. However, in December his performance with the Burgtheater ensemble at the

Kurfürstendamm The Kurfürstendamm (; colloquially ''Ku'damm'', ; en, Prince Elector Embankment) is one of the most famous avenues in Berlin. The street takes its name from the former ''Kurfürsten'' (prince-electors) of Brandenburg. The broad, long boulevar ...

Theatre in Berlin met with protest. In 1951 Krauss again received

German citizenship German nationality law details the conditions by which an individual holds German nationality. The primary law governing these requirements is the Nationality Act, which came into force on 1 January 1914. Germany is a member state of the Europ ...

. Ultimately, he was rehabilitated to the extent of being invited to German film festivals. In 1954, he received the

Iffland-Ring The Iffland-Ring is a diamond-studded ring with a picture of August Wilhelm Iffland, a prominent German actor, dramatist and theatre director of the late 18th and early 19th century. The holder, or bearer, of the Iffland-Ring is considered to be ...

, though not determined by the previous holder

Albert Bassermann Albert Bassermann (7 September 1867 – 15 May 1952) was a German stage and screen actor. He was considered to be one of the greatest German-speaking actors of his generation and received the famous Iffland-Ring. He was married to Elsa Sch ...

but by a committee of German-speaking actors. In the same year, Krauss was awarded the Order of the Federal Republic of Germany; in 1955, he received the High Decoration of the Republic of Austria. In 1958, Krauss published his autobiography titled ''Das Schauspiel meines Lebens'' (''The Play of my Life''). Krauss died in relative obscurity in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

at the age of 75. He was cremated and buried in an ''

Ehrengrab An ''Ehrengrab'' (English: 'grave of honor') is a distinction granted by certain German, Swiss and Austrian cities to some of their citizens for extraordinary services or achievements in their lifetimes. If there are no descendants or instituti ...

'' in the Vienna

Zentralfriedhof The Vienna Central Cemetery (german: Wiener Zentralfriedhof) is one of the largest cemeteries in the world by number of interred, and is the most well-known cemetery among Vienna's nearly 50 cemeteries. The cemetery's name is descriptive of its ...

Filmography

* ''

Die geheimnisvolle Villa ''Die geheimnisvolle Villa'' (lit. 'The Secret-Filled Villa') is a 1914 silent German detective film directed by Joe May and starring Ernst Reicher. It is the first in the series starring the fictional gentleman detective Stuart Webbs, modelle ...

'' (1914) * ''

'' (1916) as Conte Dapertutto * ''Zirkusblut'' (1916) as Thomas the tramp * ''Die vertauschte Braut'' (1916, Short) * ''Die Rache der Toten'' (1916, Short) as Mayor Paul Horvath * ''

The Uncanny House ''The Uncanny House'' (German: ''Das unheimliche Haus'') is a 1916 German silent mystery film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Werner Krauss, Reinhold Schünzel and Lupu Pick. It was released in three parts.Bock & Bergfelder p.261 The ...

'' (1916, 3 parts) as Albert von Sievers / Franz Mollheim / Professor Cardallhan * ''Die Bettlerin von St. Marien'' (1916) as Buckeljörg * ''Unheilbar'' (1917) * ''Der Erbe von 'Het Steen (1917) * ''

A Night of Horror ''A Night of Horror'' (german: Nächte des Grauens) is a 1916 silent German horror film directed by Richard Oswald, Arthur Robison and starring Werner Krauss. It is the earliest known feature-length film to portray vampires, with vampire-li ...

'' (1917): as the artist's husband * ''Das Bacchanal des Todes'' (1917) as Jan Lars * ''Die Kaukasierin'' (1917) * ''Die Fremde'' (1917) as Pan Hoang Amitaba * ''Die Pagode'' (1917) as Dr. Remus * ''Gesühnte Schuld'' (1917, Short) as Professor Marquardt * ''Die Tochter der Gräfin Stachowska'' (1917) as Adam Kolinski * ''

The Sea Battle ''The Sea Battle'' (German: ''Die Seeschlacht'') is a 1917 German silent war film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Emil Jannings, Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt.Allen p.245 Comparatively little is known about the production, which is now ...

'' (1917) * ''Die schöne Prinzessin von China'' (1917, Short) as Kaiser * ''Wenn Frauen lieben und hassen'' (1917, Short) * ''Der Friedensreiter'' (1917) as Reiter * ''Die schleichende Gefahr'' (1918) as Musiker * ''

Let There Be Light "Let there be light" is an English translation of the Hebrew (''yehi 'or'') found in Genesis 1:3 of the Torah, the first part of the Hebrew Bible. In Old Testament translations of the phrase, translations include the Greek phrase (''gen� ...

'' (1918) as Waldemar Gorsky * ''Der Bettler von Savern'' (1918) * ''Das verwunschene Schloß'' (1918) as Bauer Grödner * ''Der Prozeß Hauers'' (1918) * ''

Diary of a Lost Woman ''Diary of a Lost Woman'' (German: ''Das Tagebuch einer Verlorenen'') is a 1918 German silent drama film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Erna Morena, Reinhold Schünzel, and Werner Krauss. The rising star Conrad Veidt also appeared. It ...

'' (1918) as Meinert * ''Madame d'Ora'' (1918) as Gelehrter Edmund Hall * '' Colomba'' (1918) as Gonzales * ''

The Story of Dida Ibsen ''The Story of Dida Ibsen'' (German: ''Dida Ibsens Geschichte'') is a 1918 German silent drama film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Anita Berber, Conrad Veidt and Werner Krauss. It is an adaptation of Margarete Böhme's 1907 novel of th ...

'' (1918) as Philipp Galen * ''Fräulein Pfiffikus'' (1918) * ''Seiner Hoheit Brautfahrt'' (1918) * ''Seelen in Ketten'' (1918) as the prince * ''E, der scharlachrote Buchstabe'' (1918) * ''Das Gift der Medici'' (1918) * ''Der Friedensreiter'' (1918) * ''

Opium Opium (or poppy tears, scientific name: ''Lachryma papaveris'') is dried latex obtained from the seed capsules of the opium poppy '' Papaver somniferum''. Approximately 12 percent of opium is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which ...

'' (1919) as Nung-Tschang * ''

Prostitution Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in Sex work, sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, n ...

'' (1919) as Mann * ''Mazeppa, der Held der Ukraine'' (1919) as Mazeppa * ''Die Insel der Glücklichen'' (1919) as Senator Dr. Wenningx * ''

Rose Bernd ''Rose Bernd'' is a stage drama in five acts by Gerhart Hauptmann. It premiered on 31 October 1903 in Berlin. Characters Plot Rose Bernd speaks to a friend, Flamm, with whom she is now uncomfortable. He flirts with her: "Rosie, give me your d ...

'' (1919) as Bernd * ''Das ewige Rätsel'' (1919) as Faun * ''

The Dance of Death The ''Danse Macabre'' (; ) (from the French language), also called the Dance of Death, is an artistic genre of allegory of the Late Middle Ages on the universality of death. The ''Danse Macabre'' consists of the dead, or a personification ...

'' (1919) as The Cripple * ''Phantome des Lebens'' (1919) * ''Die Heimat'' (1919) * '' The Woman with Orchids'' (1919) * ''

The Girl and the Men ''The Girl and the Men'' (German: ''Das Mädchen und die Männer'') is a 1919 German silent film directed by Manfred Noa and starring Paul Hartmann, Werner Krauss and Reinhold Schünzel.Bock & Bergfelder p.433 Cast In alphabetical order * Hann ...

'' (1919) * ''Opfer'' (1920) * '' The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' (1920) as Dr. Caligari * ''Spiritismus'' (1920) * '' Eternal River'' (1920) as a ferryman * '' Johannes Goth'' (1920) as Verleger Assmann * '' The Woman Without a Soul'' (1920) as Stephan Wulkowitz * ''

Death the Victor ''Death the Victor'' (German:''Sieger Tod'') is a 1920 German silent film directed by Nils Olaf Chrisander and starring Uschi Elleot, Werner Krauss and Johannes Riemann. Cast In alphabetical order * Uschi Elleot as Eva * Werner Krauss as Dr. ...

'' (1920) as Dr. Olaf Karsten * ''Die Frau im Himmel'' (1920) as Aufseher * ''Der Staatsanwalt'' (1920) as Ziegelpeter * ''

The Brothers Karamazov ''The Brothers Karamazov'' (russian: Братья Карамазовы, ''Brat'ya Karamazovy'', ), also translated as ''The Karamazov Brothers'', is the last novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky spent nearly two years writing '' ...

'' (1920) as Serdjakoff * ''

The Kwannon of Okadera ''The Kwannon of Okadera'' (German: ''Die Kwannon von Okadera'') is a 1920 German silent film directed by Carl Froelich and starring Lil Dagover and Werner Krauss.Hardt p.221 Produced by Erich Pommer of Decla-Bioscop it was shot at the Babelsb ...

'' (1920) as Harlander * ''Die Beichte einer Toten'' (1920) * ''Das lachende Grauen'' (1920) * ''

The Medium ''The Medium'' is a short (one-hour-long) two-act dramatic opera with words and music by Gian Carlo Menotti. Commissioned by the Alice M. Ditson Fund at Columbia University, its first performance was there on 8 May 1946. The opera's first profes ...

'' (1921) * ''

The House in Dragon Street ''The House in Dragon Street'' (German: ''Das Haus in der Dragonerstrasse '') is a 1921 German silent crime film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Edmund Löwe, Werner Krauss and Lilly Flohr. The film premiered in Berlin on 24 June 1921. ...

'' (1921) as Walter * ''

Christian Wahnschaffe ''Christian Wahnschaffe'' is a 1920 German silent drama film directed by Urban Gad and starring Conrad Veidt, Lillebil Ibsen, and Fritz Kortner. It was released in two parts ''World Ablaze'' (''Weltbrand'') in November 1920 and ''The Escape fr ...

'' (1921, part 2) as Niels Heinrich * ''

Danton Georges Jacques Danton (; 26 October 1759 – 5 April 1794) was a French lawyer and a leading figure in the French Revolution. He became a deputy to the Paris Commune, presided in the Cordeliers district, and visited the Jacobin club. In August ...

'' (1921, dir. Dimitri Buchowetzki) as

Robespierre Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre (; 6 May 1758 – 28 July 1794) was a French lawyer and statesman who became one of the best-known, influential and controversial figures of the French Revolution. As a member of the Esta ...

* '' Shattered'' (1921, dir.

Lupu Pick Lupu Pick (2 January 1886 – 7 March 1931) was a German actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter of the silent era. He appeared in 50 films between 1910 and 1928. Born in Romania, Pick's father was a Jewish Austrian,Hans Morgenste ...

) as the track checker * ''

The Story of Christine von Herre ''The Story of Christine von Herre'' (german: Der Roman der Christine von Herre) is a 1921 German silent drama film directed by Ludwig Berger and starring Agnes Straub, Werner Krauss, and Paul Hartmann. It was based on a novella by Heinrich ...

'' (1921) as Count Von Herre * ''

The Dance of Love and Happiness ''The Dance of Love and Happiness'' (german: Der Tanz um Liebe und Glück) is a 1921 German silent film directed by Willy Zeyn (director), Willy Zeyn and starring Werner Krauss, Olga Limburg and Hugo Flink.Bock & Bergfelder p. 261 It premiered at ...

'' (1921) as Director Mac Sullivan * ''

Lady Hamilton Dame Emma Hamilton (born Amy Lyon; 26 April 176515 January 1815), generally known as Lady Hamilton, was an English maid, model, dancer and actress. She began her career in London's demi-monde, becoming the mistress of a series of wealthy men ...

'' (1921) as

Lord William Hamilton Lord William Hamilton (c. 1706 – 11 July 1734) was a member of Parliament for Lanarkshire. Early life Lord William was the second oldest child of James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Hamilton, and his second wife Elizabeth (née Gerard). When the ...

* ''

Circus of Life ''Circus of Life'' (German: ''Zirkus des Lebens'') is a 1921 German silent drama film directed by Johannes Guter and starring Werner Krauss, Lydia Potechina and Rudolf Klein-Rogge.Hardt p.64 The film's sets were designed by the art director H ...

'' (1921) as Philipp Hogger * ''Sturmflut des Lebens'' (1921) * ''Fledermäuse'' (1921) * ''Die Beute der Erinnyen'' (1922) as Wells * ''

Fridericus Rex ''Fridericus Rex'' (German: ''Fridericus Rex - 1. Teil: Sturm und Drang'') is a 1922 German silent historical film directed by Arzén von Cserépy and starring Otto Gebühr, Albert Steinrück and Gertrud de Lalsky. It portrays the life of t ...

'' (1922-1923, part 1, 3) as Count Kaunitz * ''

'' (1922, dir. Dimitri Buchowetzki) as

* ''

The Burning Soil ''The Burning Soil'' (german: Der brennende Acker) is a 1922 German silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. It was made the same year as Murnau's ''Nosferatu'' and released in Germany around the same time. The film follows the struggle over a plot ...

'' (1922) as Old Rog * '' Luise Millerin'' (1922) as Secretary Wurm * '' The Earl of Essex'' (1922) * ''

Nathan the Wise ''Nathan the Wise'' (original German title: ', ) is a play by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing from 1779. It is a fervent plea for religious tolerance. It was never performed during Lessing's lifetime and was first performed in 1783 at the Döbbelinsch ...

'' (1922) as Nathan * ''Marquise von Pompadour'' (1922) * ''Josef und seine Brüder'' (1922) * ''Die Nacht der Medici'' (1922) * '' The Treasure'' (1923, dir.

G. W. Pabst Georg Wilhelm Pabst (25 August 1885 – 29 May 1967) was an Austrian film director and screenwriter. He started as an actor and theater director, before becoming one of the most influential German-language filmmakers during the Weimar Republic. ...

) as Svetelenz * '' Old Heidelberg'' (1923) as Dr. Jüttner * ''

The Misanthrope ''The Misanthrope, or the Cantankerous Lover'' (french: Le Misanthrope ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux; ) is a 17th-century comedy of manners in verse written by Molière. It was first performed on 4 June 1666 at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris ...

'' (1923) * ''

Adam and Eve Adam and Eve, according to the creation myth of the Abrahamic religions, were the first man and woman. They are central to the belief that humanity is in essence a single family, with everyone descended from a single pair of original ancestors. ...

'' (1923) * ''

Between Evening and Morning ''Between Evening and Morning'' (german: Zwischen Abend und Morgen) is a 1923 German silent film directed by Arthur Robison and starring Werner Krauss, Agnes Straub, and Elga Brink Elisabeth Margarete Biermann (née Brink, born Frey; 2 April ...

'' (1923) * ''

Fräulein Raffke ''Fräulein Raffke'' is a 1923 German silent film directed by Richard Eichberg and starring Werner Krauss, Lydia Potechina and Lee Parry.Bock & Bergfelder p.8 A "Raffke" was Weimar era slang for a money accumulator. The film's sets were design ...

'' (1923) as Emil Raffke * ''

'' (1923) as

* ''

The Ancient Law ''The Ancient Law'' (german: Das alte Gesetz) is a 1923 German silent drama film directed by E. A. Dupont and starring Henny Porten, Ruth Weyher and Hermann Vallentin. The son of an Orthodox Rabbi faces hostility from his father when he decides ...

'' (1923) as Professor Nathan * ''

The Doll Maker of Kiang-Ning ''The Doll Maker of Kiang-Ning'' (german: Der Puppenmacher von Kiang-Ning) is a 1923 German silent fantasy film directed by Robert Wiene and starring Werner Krauss, Lia Eibenschütz, and Ossip Runitsch. A doll maker in China crafts a puppet whi ...

'' (1923) * '' I.N.R.I.'' (1923) as

Pontius Pilatus Pontius Pilate (; grc-gre, Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, ) was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of J ...

* ''

The Unknown Tomorrow ''The Unknown Tomorrow'' (German: ''Das unbekannte Morgen'') is a 1923 German silent drama film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Werner Krauss, María Corda, and Olga Limburg. Production and reception ''The Unknown Tomorrow'' was the ...

'' (1923) as Marc Muradock * ''

Decameron Nights ''Decameron Nights'' is a 1953 anthology Technicolor film based on three tales from ''The Decameron'' by Giovanni Boccaccio, specifically the ninth and tenth tales of the second day and the ninth tale of the third. It stars Joan Fontaine and, a ...

'' (1924) as Soldan * '' Waxworks'' (1924, dir.

) as

Jack the Ripper Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer active in and around the impoverished Whitechapel district of London, England, in the autumn of 1888. In both criminal case files and the contemporaneous journalistic accounts, the killer w ...

Spring-Heeled Jack Spring-heeled Jack is an entity in English folklore of the Victorian era. The first claimed sighting of Spring-heeled Jack was in 1837. Later sightings were reported all over the United Kingdom and were especially prevalent in suburban Lon ...

* ''Une femme dans la nuit'' (1924) * ''

Wood Love ''Wood Love'' (German title: ''Ein Sommernachtstraum'') is a 1925 German silent comedy film directed by Hans Neumann and starring Werner Krauss, Valeska Gert and Alexander Granach. It was an adaptation of William Shakespeare's ''A Midsummer ...

'' (1925) as Bottom * '' Reveille: The Great Awakening'' (1925) * ''

Joyless Street ''Joyless Street'' (german: Die freudlose Gasse), also titled ''The Street of Sorrow'' or ''The Joyless Street'', is a 1925 German silent film directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst starring Greta Garbo and Asta Nielsen. It is based on a novel by Hug ...

'' (1925, dir.

) as Metzger von Melchiorstrasse * ''

Jealousy Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness or disgus ...

'' (1925) as Mann/Georges Ménard * '' The Morals of the Alley'' (1925) as a wholesaler * ''

The Dealer from Amsterdam ''The Dealer from Amsterdam'' (German: ''Der Trödler von Amsterdam'') is a 1925 German silent film directed by Victor Janson and starring Werner Krauss, Hilde Hildebrand and Harry Hardt. It was made by the German subsidiary of the Fox Film Com ...

'' (1925) as Arent Bergh * ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' (1925) * ''

'' (1925, dir.

Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau (born Friedrich Wilhelm Plumpe; December 28, 1888March 11, 1931) was a German film director, producer and screenwriter. He was greatly influenced by Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Shakespeare and Ibsen plays he had seen at th ...

) as Orgon * ''

The Woman from Berlin ''The Woman from Berlin'' (German:''Die Dame aus Berlin'') is a 1925 German silent drama film directed by Lorand von Kabdebo and starring Werner Krauss, Lia Eibenschütz and William Dieterle.Grange p.211 The film's sets were designed by the ar ...

'' (1925) as Anton Zöllner * '' The House of Lies'' (1926) as Hjalmar Ekdal * ''

Secrets of a Soul ''Secrets of a Soul'' (german: Geheimnisse einer Seele) is a 1926 silent German drama film directed by G. W. Pabst. Plot Martin Fellman, a learned professor, experiences nightmares that make him believe he is going insane. He fears that he is ...

'' (1926, dir.

) as Martin Fellman * '' Nana'' (1926, dir.

Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. As a film director and actor, he made more than forty films from the silent era to the end of the 1960s. His films '' ...

) as Count Muffat * ''

The Woman's Crusade ''The Woman's Crusade'' (German: ''Kreuzzug des Weibes'') is a 1926 German silent drama film directed by Martin Berger and starring Conrad Veidt, Maly Delschaft, and Harry Liedtke. The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert A. ...

'' (1926) as The Idiot * ''Maria, die Geschichte eines Herzens'' / ''Das graue Haus'' (1926) as Vater * '' The Student of Prague'' (1926, dir.

Henrik Galeen Henrik Galeen (7 January 1881 – 30 July 1949) was an Austrian-born actor, screenwriter and film director considered an influential figure in the development of German Expressionist cinema during the silent era. Early years Considerable mystery ...

) as Scapinelli * ''

Superfluous People ''Superfluous People'' (German:''Überflüssige Menschen'') is a 1926 German silent film directed by Aleksandr Razumny and starring Eugen Klöpfer, Camilla von Hollay and Heinrich George.Murray It was made by Prometheus-Film which was affiliate ...

'' (1926) as Constable Suka * ''

One Does Not Play with Love ''One Does Not Play with Love'' (german: Man spielt nicht mit der Liebe) is a 1926 silent German drama film directed by G. W. Pabst. The film is an adaptation of the 1834 play by Alfred de Musset, ''On ne badine pas avec l'amour''. The film is ...

'' (1926) as Prince Colalto * ''

Excluded from the Public ''Excluded from the Public'' (German: ''Unter Ausschluß der Öffentlichkeit'') is a 1927 German silent drama film directed by Conrad Wiene and starring Werner Krauss, Maly Delschaft and Vivian Gibson.St. Pierre p.207 It was shot at the Staak ...

'' (1927) as Ibrahim Hulam * ''

The Vice of Humanity ''The Vice of Humanity'' (German: ''Laster der Menschheit'') is a 1927 German silent drama film directed by Rudolf Meinert and starring Asta Nielsen, Werner Krauss and Alfred Abel. It premiered at the Marmorhaus in Berlin. Plot Opera singer T ...

'' (1927) as Willibald Cooks * ''

The Trousers ''The Trousers'' (German: ''Die Hose'') is a 1927 German silent comedy film directed by Hans Behrendt and starring Werner Krauss, Jenny Jugo and Rudolf Forster. It was based on a play by Carl Sternheim. Art direction was by Heinrich Richter a ...

'' (1927) as Theobald Maske * ''Da hält die Welt den Atem an'' / ''Maquillage'' (1927) as Morris Broock * ''

Radio Magic ''Radio Magic'' (german: Funkzauber) is a 1927 German silent comedy film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Werner Krauss, Xenia Desni, and Fern Andra. The film's art direction Art director is the title for a variety of similar job fun ...

'' (1927) as Theophil Schimmelpfenning * ''Die Hölle der Jungfrauen'' (1928) as Mystkowski * ''

Looping the Loop ''Looping the Loop'' (German: ''Die Todesschleife'') is a 1928 German silent thriller film directed by Arthur Robison and starring Werner Krauss, Jenny Jugo and Warwick Ward.Bock & Bergfelder p.228 The film was produced by UFA. It was shot at ...

'' (1928) as Botto the clown * '' The Merry Farmer'' (1929) as Bauer Mathäus Reuther * ''

Thou Shalt Not Kill Thou shalt not kill (LXX; ), You shall not murder (Hebrew: ; ') or You shall not kill ( KJV), is a moral imperative included as one of the Ten Commandments in the Torah. The imperative not to kill is in the context of ''unlawful'' killing resu ...

'' (1929) as Prof. Marquardt * ''

Napoleon at Saint Helena ''Napoleon at Saint Helena'' (german: Napoleon auf Sankt Helena) is a 1929 German silent historical film directed by Lupu Pick and starring Werner Krauss, Hanna Ralph, and Albert Bassermann. It was shot at the EFA Studios in Berlin with loc ...

'' (1929) as

* '' Yorck'' (1931) as General Yorck von Wartenberg * '' Man Without a Name'' (1932) as Heinrich Martin * ' (1935) as Napoleon * '' Court Theatre'' (1936, dir.

Willi Forst Willi Forst, born Wilhelm Anton Frohs (7 April 1903 – 11 August 1980) was an Austrian actor, screenwriter, film director, film producer and singer. As a debonair actor he was a darling of the German-speaking film audiences, as a director, one ...

) as Friedrich Mitterer * ''

Robert Koch Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch ( , ; 11 December 1843 – 27 May 1910) was a German physician and microbiologist. As the discoverer of the specific causative agents of deadly infectious diseases including tuberculosis, cholera (though the bacteri ...

'' (1939, dir.

Hans Steinhoff Hans Steinhoff (10 March 1882 – 20 April 1945) was a German film director, best known for the propaganda films he made in the Nazi era. Life and career Steinhoff started his career as a stage actor in the 1900s and later worked as a stag ...

) as

Rudolf Virchow Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow (; or ; 13 October 18215 September 1902) was a German physician, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist, writer, editor, and politician. He is known as "the father of modern pathology" and as the founder ...

* ''Der letzte Appell'' (1939) * ''

'' (1940, dir.

) as Rabbi Loew / Secretary Levy / Isaak / Old Jewish Man * '' Annelie'' (1941) as Katasteramtsrat Reinhold Dörensen * '' Between Heaven and Earth'' (1942) as Justus Rottwinkel * '' Die Entlassung'' (1942) as Privy Councillor von Holstein * ''

Paracelsus Paracelsus (; ; 1493 – 24 September 1541), born Theophrastus von Hohenheim (full name Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), was a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance. He ...

'' (1943, dir.

) as

* ''

Bonus on Death ''Bonus on Death'' (German: ''Prämien auf den Tod'') is a 1950 Austrian crime film directed by Curd Jürgens and starring Judith Holzmeister, Werner Krauss and Siegfried Breuer. One of a handful of Austrian crime films made during the post-war ...

'' (1943) as Dr. Schmidt * ''

The Falling Star ''The Falling Star'' (german: Der fallende Stern) is a 1950 West German drama film directed by Harald Braun and starring Werner Krauss, Dieter Borsche and Gisela Uhlen.Bock & Bergfelder p.60 It was entered into the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. I ...

'' (1950) as Lenura / Lenoir * ''

Son Without a Home ''Son Without a Home'' (german: Sohn ohne Heimat) is a 1955 West German drama film directed by Hans Deppe and starring Werner Krauss, Elisabeth Flickenschildt, Josefin Kipper.Bock & Berfelder p. 170 It was shot at the Spandau Studios in Berlin a ...

'' (1955) as Wilhelm Hartmann * ''Das verräterische Herz'' (1958, TV Short) as the old man (final film role)

References

External links

* * *
Various pictures of Werner Krauss
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Krauss, Werner 1884 births 1959 deaths 20th-century German male actors Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany German male silent film actors German male stage actors Iffland-Ring Leipzig University faculty People from Coburg (district) Imperial German Navy personnel of World War I