Born: March 22, 1896 – Died: January 21, 1964.
Joseph Schildkraut, an Austrian import-turned-Hollywood matinée idol, captivated audiences on both the silent and talking screens. Known for his smooth and cunning villainous roles, Schildkraut unexpectedly won an Oscar for his sympathetic portrayal of Captain Alfred Dreyfus in "The Life of Emile Zola" (1937). Born on March 22, 1896, in Vienna, Austria, he was the son of renowned European/Yiddish stage actor Rudolf Schildkraut and his wife, Erna Weinstein. Overcoming the challenges of World War I, Joseph flourished on stage and screen, establishing himself as a distinctive character actor in Hollywood. His memorable performances ranged from sumptuous costumers to dramatic biopics, cementing his place in the entertainment industry's history.
Early Life and Career
Joseph Schildkraut's childhood was spent in Vienna, Austria, where he was born on March 22, 1896. His father, Rudolf Schildkraut, was a renowned European/Yiddish stage actor, which exposed Joseph to the world of theater from a young age. The family later moved to Hamburg, Germany, when Joseph was four years old, and then to Berlin, where his father established a strong association with famed theatrical director Max Reinhardt.
Joseph's passion for the performing arts developed early on, and he studied piano and violin. He made his stage debut alongside his father at the age of six and continued to grow as an actor throughout his teenage years. After graduating from Berlin's Royal Academy of music in 1911, Joseph and his family migrated to America, settling in New York in 1912.
In New York, Joseph was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, solidifying his commitment to pursuing a career in acting. While establishing himself on the stage, Joseph also made appearances in silent films in Germany and Austria. However, it was his role in the silent screen classic "Orphans of the Storm" (1921), starring the Gish sisters, that brought him recognition as an exotic and charming leading man.
Joseph's breakthrough came with his moving portrayal of Captain Alfred Dreyfus in "The Life of Emile Zola" (1937), which earned him an unexpected Oscar. Despite his predilection for villainous roles, it was his sympathetic depiction of a French Jew wrongly convicted of treason that won over both audiences and critics.
Throughout his career, Joseph was known for his versatility in both film and stage productions. He showcased his talents in a wide range of genres, from sumptuous costumers to dramatic biopics and even action-adventure films. However, his preference remained with the stage, and his mastery of the craft translated seamlessly into talking films.
In his personal life, Joseph experienced both successes and challenges. He married his first wife, actors Elise Bartlett, in 1923, but the couple separated a few years later. Tragically, Elise fell into alcoholism and passed away at a young age due to related illness. Joseph's second marriage to Marie McKay was more fulfilling, lasting almost three decades.
While Joseph had his fair share of scandalous affairs, it was his talent and personal charisma that defined his professional legacy. He left a significant impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, earning a reputation as a distinctive character actor with a commanding presence and a strong voice. His contributions to both the silent and talking screens, as well as his acclaimed stage performances, solidified his status as an icon in the industry.
Joseph Schildkraut's impact extended beyond his acting career. His memorable performances and his portrayal of complex characters demonstrated his immense talent and contribution to the art of acting. Today, Joseph is remembered as a Hollywood legend who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | The Greatest Story Ever Told | Nicodemus |
| 1963 | Arrest and Trial (TV Series) | Henry Weber |
| 1963 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Mr. Stehlik |
| 1963 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | Dr. Hans Frolick |
| 1962 | Sam Benedict (TV Series) | Rabbi Gottlieb |
| 1961–1962 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | John Holt | Alfred Becker |
| 1962 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Dr. Maxwell Keller |
| 1961 | King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein | Abraham Rothstein |
| 1959 | The Diary of Anne Frank | Otto Frank |
| 1955 | Cameo Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | The Hammer and the Sword (TV Movie) | Baron von Steuben |
| 1955 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Henri Cassin |
| 1954 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Joseph Mayerhoff |
| 1954 | The Philip Morris Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Omnibus (TV Series) | Charles Dickens (segment "A Tale of Two Cities") | Death (segment "Everyman") | The Devil (segment "The Last Night of Don Juan") |
| 1953 | Hamlet (TV Movie) | King Claudius |
| 1953 | The Web (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Major Ludwig |
| 1951–1952 | Personal Appearance Theater (TV Series) | Professor Deval |
| 1951 | Cosmopolitan Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Faith Baldwin Romance Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Sure As Fate (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949–1950 | The Ford Theatre Hour (TV Series) | Uncle Harry | Mr. Edwards |
| 1948 | The Gallant Legion | Sen. Clarke Faulkner |
| 1948 | Old Los Angeles | Luis Savarin |
| 1947 | Northwest Outpost | Count Igor Savin |
| 1946 | Plainsman and the Lady | Peter Marquette |
| 1946 | Monsieur Beaucaire | Don Francisco |
| 1945 | The Cheaters | Anthony Marchand |
| 1945 | Flame of Barbary Coast | Tito Morell |
| 1941 | The Tell-Tale Heart (Short) | Young Man |
| 1941 | The Parson of Panamint | Bob Deming |
| 1940 | Meet the Wildcat | Leon Dumeray |
| 1940 | Rangers of Fortune | Col. Lewis Rebstock |
| 1940 | Phantom Raiders | Al Taurez |
| 1940 | The Shop Around the Corner | Ferencz Vadas |
| 1939 | Pack Up Your Troubles | Hugo Ludwig |
| 1939 | The Rains Came | Mr. Bannerjee |
| 1939 | Lady of the Tropics | Pierre Delaroch |
| 1939 | Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation | Hendrik Manderson |
| 1939 | The Man in the Iron Mask | Fouquet |
| 1939 | The Three Musketeers | King |
| 1939 | Idiot's Delight | Captain Kirvline |
| 1938 | Suez | Vicomte Rene De Latour |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | Duke d'Orléans |
| 1938 | The Baroness and the Butler | Baron Georg Marissey |
| 1937 | Lady Behave! | Michael Andrews |
| 1937 | Lancer Spy | Prince Ferdi Zu Schwarzwald |
| 1937 | The Life of Emile Zola | Capt. Alfred Dreyfus |
| 1937 | Souls at Sea | Gaston de Bastonet |
| 1937 | Slave Ship | Danelo |
| 1936 | The Garden of Allah | Batouch |
| 1935 | Hollywood Extra Girl (Short) | Crusades Actor (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Crusades | Conrad - Marquis of Montferrat |
| 1934 | Cleopatra | Herod |
| 1934 | Sisters Under the Skin | Zukowski |
| 1934 | Viva Villa! | Gen. Pascal |
| 1932 | The Blue Danube | Sandor |
| 1931 | Venetian Nights | Count Andreas Scipio |
| 1930 | Die Sehnsucht jeder Frau | Buck |
| 1930 | Cock o' the Walk | Carlos Lopez |
| 1930 | The Night Ride | Joe Rooker |
| 1929 | The Mississippi Gambler | Jack Morgan |
| 1929 | Show Boat | Gaylord Ravenal |
| 1928 | Tenth Avenue | Joe Ross |
| 1928 | The Blue Danube | Lugwig |
| 1927 | The Forbidden Woman | Jean La Coste |
| 1927 | His Dog | Peter Olsen |
| 1927 | The Heart Thief | Paul Kurt |
| 1927 | The King of Kings | Judas Iscariot |
| 1926 | Young April | Prince Caryl |
| 1926 | Meet the Prince | Prince Nicholas |
| 1926 | Shipwrecked | Larry O'Neil |
| 1925 | The Road to Yesterday | Kenneth Paulton |
| 1923 | The Song of Love | Raymon Valverde |
| 1921 | Orphans of the Storm | Chevalier de Vaudrey |
| 1921 | Theodor Herzl, der Bannerträger des jüdischen Volkes | Das leidende Israel |
| 1920 | Der Roman der Komtesse Ruth | Unknown |
| 1919 | Der Diamant des Todes (Short) | Unknown |
| 1919 | Die schwarze Fahne | Unknown |
| 1919 | Seine Durchlaucht der Landstreicher | Unknown |
| 1916 | Für den Ruhm des Geliebten | Musiker Rolf |
| 1916 | Das Wiegenlied | Unknown |
| 1916 | Der Glücksschneider (Short) | Schramek jr. (as Josef Schildkraut) |
| 1915 | Schlemihl | Jakob |
| 1915 | Dämon und Mensch | Unknown |
