Ernst Deutsch | |
|---|---|
 Deutsch in his gym, 1931 | |
| Born | (1890-09-16)16 September 1890 |
| Died | 22 March 1969(1969-03-22) (aged 78) |
| Other names | Ernest Dorian |
| Citizenship | Austrian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1916–1966 |
| Known for | The Third Man |
| Spouse | Anuschka Fuchs (1922–1969; his death) |
Ernst Deutsch, also known asErnest Dorian (16 September 1890 – 22 March 1969), was aJewish[1] Austrian actor. In 1916, his performance as the protagonist in the world première ofWalter Hasenclever'sExpressionist playThe Son inDresden was praised.[2] Deutsch also played theantihero famulus inPaul Wegener'sThe Golem: How He Came into the World in 1920. He is known by English-speaking audiences for his role as Baron Kurtz inCarol Reed's 1949film noir,The Third Man.
Deutsch was the son of Prague-based Jewish merchant Ludwig Kraus and his wife, Louise.[1] He married childhood friend Anuschka Fuchsova (daughter of Prague industrialist Arthur Fuchs) in 1922.[3] Anuschka's cousin, Herbert Fuchs of Robettin, was the brother-in-law of authorFranz Werfel.
Deutsch grew up in Prague, and attended high school. He was a skilled tennis player, ranking seventh on the Austro-Hungarian tennis list. After high school, Deutsch served in the army. He was a childhood friend of Franz Werfel.[4][5]
In 1914, Deutsch made his stage debut forBerthold Viertel at the People's Theatre inVienna.[5] After a short season in Prague, Edgar Licho hired him for the Albert Theatre inDresden, where he moved in 1916. In Dresden, Deutsch played Franz Moor in Schiller'sThe Robbers and Moritz Stiefel in Frank Wedekind'sSpring Awakening. His performance in the title role of Hasenclever'sThe Son, which premiered on 8 October 1916, established him as an Expressionist actor; he also appeared in the play in 1918 and 1923.[3][4] In 1917, Deutsch went to theVolksbühne in Berlin. He appeared until 1933 on a number of stages in the city, gave guest performances inHamburg,Munich and Vienna, and participated in a tour of South America. Beginning in 1916, Deutsch appeared in 42silent films. In April 1933, he left Germany due toNaziantisemitism. Deutsch returned to Vienna and Prague, gave guest performances inZürich,Brussels and (in 1936)London where he appeared inCharles Bennett's playPage From a Diary in theWest End. In 1938 he emigrated toNew York City and played briefly onBroadway in 1939 before moving to Hollywood, where he became an American citizen.[3] Beginning 1942 he appeared as Ernest Dorian in Hollywood films, primarily as Nazis and German officers.[5][6]
After a 1946 stay inBuenos Aires, Deutsch returned to Vienna via Paris the following year. In Vienna, he became a member of the Burgtheater.[6] At the National Theatre Deutsch appeared inThe Helpers of God, about Red Cross founderHenri Dunant, in 1948. Three years later he moved back to Berlin, appearing at the Schiller and Schlossparktheater. Deutsch also toured in Germany and abroad. Deutsch's film roles included Baron Kurtz in Carol Reed'sfilm noir,The Third Man, starringOrson Welles andJoseph Cotten.[5] He received the Volpi Cup as Best Actor at the9th Venice International Film Festival in 1948Venice Film Festival for his performance inDer Prozeß.[7] Deutsch's performances in the title role ofGotthold Ephraim Lessing'sNathan the Wise and as Shylock inShakespeare'sThe Merchant of Venice were critically praised.[8][9] He played Nathan for more than 2,000 performances, and traveled with productions throughout Europe.[3][10]
Deutsch died on 22 March 1969 in West Berlin,[3] and is buried in the Jewish cemetery on the Berlin highway. For the fourth anniversary of his death in 1973,Friedrich Schütter's former Junges Theater in the Uhlenhorst quarter ofHamburg was renamed after Deutsch (who had staged a performance ofNathan The Wise there shortly before his death).[10]
