Actress. Born Anna Sophie Ondrakova in Tarnow, Austro-Hungary (now Poland) she grew up in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). Attended schools in Prague then studied to be an actress. As a child and teenager she had stage roles in Czechoslovakia where she was eventually discovered at the age of 16. From 1920 on, mostly under the direction of Karl Lamac, she played comedian roles in Czech movies and later, in 1928, began appearing in German films. She was Alfred Hitchcock's first 'Blonde' in the English Film Blackmail (1929). In 1930, with the help of Karl Lamac, she established the Ondra-Lamac Film Company in Germany, which lasted until 1936. First talking role was in an obscure film, Die vom Rummelplatz (1930) ("Those of the Sideshow"). An international film star, she was generally seen in German, Czech and French films, most often as the leading lady and was one of Germany’s most beloved film stars. Appeared in over 88 movies; retired in 1957 and then lived in Hollenstedt near Hamburg with her husband, boxing champion Max Schmeling, whom she had married in 1933. Died in Hollenstedt near Hamburg.
Actress. Born Anna Sophie Ondrakova in Tarnow, Austro-Hungary (now Poland) she grew up in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). Attended schools in Prague then studied to be an actress. As a child and teenager she had stage roles in Czechoslovakia where she was eventually discovered at the age of 16. From 1920 on, mostly under the direction of Karl Lamac, she played comedian roles in Czech movies and later, in 1928, began appearing in German films. She was Alfred Hitchcock's first 'Blonde' in the English Film Blackmail (1929). In 1930, with the help of Karl Lamac, she established the Ondra-Lamac Film Company in Germany, which lasted until 1936. First talking role was in an obscure film, Die vom Rummelplatz (1930) ("Those of the Sideshow"). An international film star, she was generally seen in German, Czech and French films, most often as the leading lady and was one of Germany’s most beloved film stars. Appeared in over 88 movies; retired in 1957 and then lived in Hollenstedt near Hamburg with her husband, boxing champion Max Schmeling, whom she had married in 1933. Died in Hollenstedt near Hamburg.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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