Conrad Veidt
Conrad Veidt is one of the most recognized British Actors of the Silent Generation generation, remembered for a career spanning 32 years.
German actor (1893–1943)
"His portrayal of Cesare the somnambulist in the 1920 German Expressionist masterpiece "The Cabinet of Dr." — About Conrad Veidt
| Metric | Conrad Veidt | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 50 | 53 | -3 yrs |
| Career length | 32 yrs | ~35 yrs | -3 yrs |
| Based on 4322 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Conrad Veidt
Did you know that Conrad Veidt, despite not being Jewish himself, declared his religion as "Jew" on his Reich Film Chamber questionnaire in 1933 as a bold act of defiance against the Nazi regime?
- He famously declared his religion as "Jew" on official Nazi questionnaires in 1933 as a bold act of defiance.
- Veidt married three times; his third wife, Ilona Prager, was a Hungarian Jew, strengthening his anti-Nazi stance.
- He starred as Cesare the somnambulist in the seminal German Expressionist film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920).
- After fleeing Nazi Germany, he became a British citizen in 1939 and continued his acting career in the UK and Hollywood.
- Veidt often played menacing or villainous roles, including Major Strasser in "Casablanca," his most famous American film.
His portrayal of Cesare the somnambulist in the 1920 German Expressionist masterpiece "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" remains a cinematic landmark. This silent film role solidified his reputation for intense, psychologically complex characters and significantly influenced horror and art house cinema.
Conrad Veidt is remembered as a towering figure of German Expressionist cinema and for his unwavering moral courage in opposing Nazism. His distinctive screen presence continues to captivate audiences and inspire filmmakers.