LeoGlossary: Conrad Veidt (Actor)
Born: January 22, 1893 – Died: April 3, 1943
Conrad Veidt, a prominent figure in the world of cinema, was born in Berlin, Germany. His journey into the world of acting began despite graduating last in his class from Sophiengymnasium in Berlin. Veidt's early interests included animals, theater, cinema, and sports, painting a picture of a man with diverse passions and talents.
Early Life and Career
Veidt's foray into acting was marked by his role as the somnambulist Cesare in the 1920 German silent horror film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," a role that catapulted him to fame. This [film] was not just a stepping stone but a significant leap in his career, setting the tone for his future endeavors in the film industry. Veidt's talents were not confined to the German cinema; he also made significant contributions to the international film scene, most notably in Casablanca (1942), where he played Major Heinrich Strasser. His portrayal in this classic film remains one of his most iconic roles.
Conrad Veidt's life off-screen was as interesting as his on-screen presence. His personal life included his marriage to Ilona Prager, and he was a father as well, balancing his family life with his demanding career. Veidt's interests extended beyond acting. He was known for his love of fast cars, swimming, gardening, and golfing, illustrating a man who embraced life with vigor.
The actor's move from Germany to Britain in 1933, due to the rise of the Nazi regime, marked a significant turn in both his personal and professional life. He became a British citizen in 1939, a testament to his adaptability and resilience. Despite being blacklisted in Nazi Germany, Veidt's legacy in the film industry continued to grow, and his work earned him international acclaim.
Conrad Veidt's influence in Hollywood and the global entertainment industry is undeniable. His ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and conviction made him a standout actor of his time. His contributions to both German and international cinema have made him an icon, remembered for his dynamic acting skills and compelling screen presence.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ymoR (Short) | ymoR's father |
| 1943 | Above Suspicion | Hassert Seidel |
| 1942 | *Casablanca* | Major Heinrich Strasser |
| 1942 | Nazi Agent | Otto Becker | Baron Hugo Von Detner |
| 1942 | All Through the Night | Ebbing |
| 1941 | The Men in Her Life | Stanislas Rosing |
| 1941 | Whistling in the Dark | Joseph Jones |
| 1941 | A Woman's Face | Torsten Barring |
| 1940 | Escape | General Kurt von Kolb |
| 1940 | The Thief of Bagdad | Jaffar |
| 1940 | Blackout | Capt. Andersen |
| 1939 | U-Boat 29 | Captain Ernst Hardt |
| 1938 | Le joueur d'échecs | Le baron de Kempelen |
| 1938 | Tempête sur l'Asie | Erich Keith |
| 1937 | Under the Red Robe | Gil de Berault |
| 1937 | Dark Journey | Baron Karl Von Marwitz |
| 1935 | King of the Damned | Convict 83 |
| 1935 | The Passing of the Third Floor Back | The Stranger |
| 1934 | They'll Never Surrender | Gessler |
| 1934 | Bella Donna | Mahmoud Baroudi |
| 1934 | Power | Josef Süss Oppenheimer |
| 1934 | The Legend of William Tell | Heinrich Gessler |
| 1933 | The Wandering Jew | Matathias |
| 1933 | I Was a Spy | Commandant Oberaertz |
| 1933 | F. P. 1 Doesn't Answer | Maj. Ellissen |
| 1933 | Ich und die Kaiserin | Marquis de Pontignac |
| 1932 | Rome Express | Zurta |
| 1932 | Der schwarze Husar | Rittmeister Hansgeorg von Hochberg |
| 1932 | The Congress Dances | Prince Metternich |
| 1932 | Rasputin, Demon with Women | Grigori Rasputin |
| 1931 | Die andere Seite | Hauptmann Stanhope |
| 1931 | Congress Dances | Prince Metternich |
| 1931 | Die Nacht der Entscheidung | General Gregori Platoff |
| 1931 | Der Mann, der den Mord beging | Marquis de Sévigné |
| 1930 | The Love Storm | Kingsley |
| 1930 | Die letzte Kompagnie | Hauptmann Burk |
| 1929 | Bride 68 | Dick Ashton, telegrapher |
| 1929 | The Last Performance | Erik Goff aka Erik the Great |
| 1928 | The Man Who Laughs | Gwynplaine | Lord Clancharlie |
| 1927 | Gesetze der Liebe | Unknown |
| 1927 | A Man's Past | Paul La Roche |
| 1927 | The Beloved Rogue | Louis XI |
| 1926 | Die Flucht in die Nacht | Heinrich IV |
| 1926 | The Student of Prague | Balduin, ein Student |
| 1926 | Kreuzzug des Weibes | Der Staatsanwalt |
| 1926 | Dürfen wir schweigen? | Paul Hartwig, Maler |
| 1926 | Liebe macht blind | Dr. Lamare |
| 1926 | Two Brothers | Wenzel Schellenberg | Michael Schellenberg |
| 1926 | The Violinist of Florence | Renées Vater |
| 1925 | Ingmarsarvet | Helgum |
| 1925 | Le comte Kostia | Comte Kostia |
| 1925 | Schicksal | Graf L. M. Vranna |
| 1924 | Husbands or Lovers | Der Liebhaber, ein Dichter |
| 1924 | Waxworks | Ivan the Terrible |
| 1924 | The Hands of Orlac | Paul Orlac (as Veidt) |
| 1924 | Carlos und Elisabeth | Don Carlos |
| 1923 | Bride of Vengeance | Cesare Borgia |
| 1923 | Glanz gegen Glück | The Count |
| 1923 | Wilhelm Tell | Hermann Gessler |
| 1923 | Paganini | Nicolo Paganini |
| 1922 | Lucrezia Borgia | Cesare Borgia |
| 1921 | Mysteries of India, Part II: Above All Law | Ayan III, the Maharajah of Bengal |
| 1921 | Der Leidensweg der Inge Krafft | Hendryck Overland |
| 1921 | Mysteries of India, Part I: Truth | Ayan III | Fürst von Eschnapur | The Majarajah of Bengal |
| 1921 | Lady Hamilton | Lord Nelson |
| 1921 | Danton | Unknown |
| 1921 | Landstraße und Großstadt | Raphael, der Geiger |
| 1921 | Christian Wahnschaffe, 2. Teil - Die Flucht aus dem goldenen Kerker | Christian Wahnschaffe |
| 1921 | Die Liebschaften des Hektor Dalmore | Hektor Dalmore |
| 1921 | Liebestaumel | Jalenko, the Gypsy |
| 1921 | Journey into the Night | Der Maler |
| 1921 | Menschen im Rausch | Professor Munk, Komponist |
| 1921 | Das Geheimnis von Bombay | Dichter Tossi |
| 1920 | Weltbrand | Christian Wahnschaffe |
| 1920 | Desire | Ivan - A young Russian dancer |
| 1920 | Manolescus Memoiren | Manolescu |
| 1920 | Die Sippschaft | Unknown |
| 1920 | Evening - Night - Morning | Brilburn - Maud's brother |
| 1920 | Moriturus | Unknown |
| 1920 | Temperamental Artist | Arpad, her child |
| 1920 | Kurfürstendamm | Teufel |
| 1920 | Die Augen der Welt | Julianne's Lover, Johannes Kay |
| 1920 | The Head of Janus | Dr. Warren | Mr. O'Connor |
| 1920 | Die Nacht auf Goldenhall | Lord Reginald Golden | Harald Golden |
| 1920 | The Merry-Go-Round | Peter Karvan |
| 1920 | The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari | Cesare |
| 1920 | Patience | Sir Percy Parker |
| 1920 | Nachtgestalten | Clown |
| 1920 | Der Graf von Cagliostro | The Minister |
| 1919 | Satanas | Lucifer | Hermit | Gubetta ... |
| 1919 | Eerie Tales | Der Tod (framing story) | The stranger (ep.1) | The assassin (ep.2) ... |
| 1919 | Wahnsinn | Bankier Lorenzen |
| 1919 | Prinz Kuckuck - Die Höllenfahrt eines Wollüstlings | Karl Kraker |
| 1919 | Die Okarina | Jaap |
| 1919 | Prostitution II | Alfred Werner |
| 1919 | Different from the Others | Paul Körner |
| 1919 | Peer Gynt - 2. Teil: Peer Gynts Wanderjahre und Tod | Ein fremder Passagier |
| 1919 | Peer Gynt | Ein fremder Passagier |
| 1919 | Opfer der Gesellschaft | Prosecutor Chrysander |
| 1919 | Around the World in 80 Days | Phineas Fogg |
| 1919 | Prostitution | Alfred Werner |
| 1919 | Die Mexikanerin | Unknown |
| 1919 | Nocturno der Liebe | Frederic Chopin |
| 1919 | Opium | Dr. Richard Armstrong Jr. |
| 1919 | Die Japanerin | Sekretär Thomas Harwell |
| 1918 | Henriette Jacoby | Doktor Friedrich Köstling |
| 1918 | The Story of Dida Ibsen | Erik Norrensen |
| 1918 | Es werde Licht! 4. Teil: Sündige Mütter | Herr Kramer |
| 1918 | Jettchen Gebert's Story | Doktor Friedrich Köstling |
| 1918 | Colomba | Henrik van Rhyn |
| 1918 | Der nicht vom Weibe Geborene | Satan |
| 1918 | Das Tagebuch einer Verlorenen | Dr. Julius |
| 1918 | Das Dreimäderlhaus (Short) | Baron Schober |
| 1918 | Der Spion | Steinau |
| 1918 | Die Serenyi | Unknown |
| 1918 | Das Rätsel von Bangalor | Dinja |
| 1917 | Die Seeschlacht | Unknown |
| 1917 | Furcht | Indian Priest |
| 1917 | Wenn Tote sprechen | Richard von Worth |
| 1917 | Der Weg des Todes | Rolf |