Paul Muni

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Paul Muni (photographed by Carl van Vechten , 1932)

Paul Muni (born September 22, 1895 in Lemberg , Galicia , Austria-Hungary (today Lviv, Ukraine ), as Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund ; † August 25, 1967 in Montecito , California ) was an American actor . He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1937 .

Life

Paul Muni was the son of a Jewish family of actors who emigrated to the United States. He grew up in New York City and Cleveland and performed as a child alongside his parents in Jewish theaters, where he received his training as an actor. Until 1926 he appeared exclusively in plays that were performed in the Yiddish language .

After initial success on Broadway , he signed a contract with 20th Century Fox in Hollywood in 1928 . His first film appearance in 1929 in The Valiant earned him his first Oscar nomination for the best leading role in 1930. Due to a weak heart, Muni, who was considered an outstanding character actor, could only appear in 22 films during his career. He made five Oscar nominations, each for the best leading role, as he always played the leading role in all of his films. He finally received the award for his portrayal of Louis Pasteur in Louis Pasteur (The Story of Louis Pasteur) from 1935, directed by William Dieterle .

Paul Muni died in seclusion in California due to lifelong heart failure. He was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery .

Filmography

Awards

Web links

Commons : Paul Muni  - Collection of Images
personal data
SURNAME Muni, Paul
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Wise friend, Meshilem Meier (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION US-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH September 22, 1895
PLACE OF BIRTH Lviv , Austria-Hungary
DATE OF DEATH August 25, 1967
Place of death Montecito , California, United States