Origins & Early Life

Emil Jannings (born Theodor Friedrich Emil Janenz; 23 July 1884 – 2 January 1950) was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s. He was the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor for starring in The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh. Jannings remains the only German ever to win in that category. He is best known for his films with F.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

W. Murnau and Josef von Sternberg, including 1930's The Blue Angel (Der blaue Engel), with Marlene Dietrich. The Blue Angel was meant as a vehicle for Jannings to secure a place for himself in the new medium of sound film, but he was ultimately overshadowed by Dietrich. Jannings went on to leading roles in State Films (Staatsauftragsfilme) in Nazi Germany. Jannings was born in Rorschach, Switzerland, the son of Emil Janenz, an American businessman from St.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Louis, and his wife Margarethe (née Schwabe), originally from Germany. Jannings held German citizenship; while he was still young the family moved to Leipzig in the German Empire and further to Görlitz after the early death of his father. Jannings ran away from school and went to sea. When he returned to Görlitz, his mother finally allowed...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1884 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1884
• July 23 (07-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 23
• 1950 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1950
• January 2 (01-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 2