Karl Dane

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Karl Dane

Karl Dane , actually Rasmus Karl Therkelsen Gottlieb (born October 12, 1886 in Copenhagen , † April 14, 1934 in Los Angeles ) was a Danish- American actor .

Life

Karl Dane came from a Danish theater family. He first appeared on stage at the age of 14. In January 1916 he emigrated to the USA and initially worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn . Soon after, he went to Hollywood and got his first film role in 1918. At first he played mainly Germans in films about the First World War . His first role was in My Four Years in Germany that of the German Chancellor Bethmann-Hollweg . He took on this role in two other films. However, his breakthrough came in 1925 when he signed a contract with MGM . Under the direction of King Vidor he played in 1925 in The Great Parade again in a war film , but from then on comedic roles in particular were to become his standard repertoire. MGM formed a comedian couple with him and the English actor George K. Arthur . In addition to the films with Arthur, he mainly played Scandinavians in other films.

When the talkies came up, Dane's career was ended by his Scandinavian accent, as was that of George K. Arthur, who had a Scottish accent. They made another attempt at Paramount Pictures , but without success and the duo broke up. He played one last minor role in 1933 in a film by his friend Bela Lugosi . Dane's acting career was over. He had to keep his head above water doing odd jobs in Los Angeles. For example, he sold hot dogs near the MGM studios . Karl Dane shot himself in his rented apartment in 1934. Jean Hersholt made sure that MGM covered the funeral expenses. His grave is in Hollywood Forever Cemetery , Hollywood .

Filmography (selection)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Dane, Karl
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gottlieb, Rasmus Karl Therkelsen (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Danish-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH October 12, 1886
PLACE OF BIRTH Copenhagen
DATE OF DEATH April 14, 1934
Place of death los Angeles