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Olaf Fønss

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Olaf Fønss
Olaf Fønss
Born
Olaf Holger Axel Fønss

(1882-10-17)17 October 1882
Died11 March 1949(1949-03-11) (aged 66)
Occupation(s)Actor, Director, Producer
Film Censor
Union Leader
Years active1903–1947
Spouses
  • Thilda Elisabeth Lilja Johnsen
  • Else Dorthea Bast
RelativesAage Fønss (brother), Johannes Fønss (brother), Jorgen Fønss (Nephew)

Olaf Holger Axel Fønss (17 October 1882 – 11 March 1949) was a Danish actor, director, producer, film censor and one of Denmark and Germany's biggest stars of the silent film era.[1]

Career

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Fønss' leading role in the 1913 Danish classic Atlantis made his face recognizable to movie fans. It was his role as the artificial creature in the 1916 German science fiction film series, Homunculus, that earned Fønss status as a top matinee idol.[2] In the 1930s, Fønss became politically active by directing two films for Denmark's Socialdemokratiske Parti (Social Democracy Party), Den Store Dag (1930) and Under Den Gamle Fane (1932).[3] He was president of the Danish Actor's Union from 1933–1947 and was a censor for the National Film Censor of Denmark for 14 years.[1] Fønss was the older brother of actors Johannes and Aage Fønss.

Filmography

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As actor

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As director

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Olaf Fønss". Den Danske Filmdatabase (The Danish Film Database). Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  2. ^ Kreimeier, Klaus; Kimber, Robert; Kimber, Rita (1999). The Ufa Story: A History of Germany's Greatest Film Company, 1918-1945. University of California Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-520-22069-2.
  3. ^ "Olaf Fønss 1882-1949". Fakta om Film. Det Danske Filminstitut. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
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