Asta Nielsen

Danish actress (1881-1972)

Asta Sofie Amalie Nielsen (11 September 1881 – 24 May 1972) was a Danish silent movie actress. She was very popular in the 1910s. She was one of the first international movie stars. Nielsen was in 74 movies. 70 were in Germany where she was known simply as Die Asta (The Asta). She had large dark eyes, a face like a mask and a figure like a boy. Nielsen most often played strong and passionate women trapped by tragic lives. Her performances were erotic so Nielsen's movies were heavily censored in the United States. Therefore, she was not very famous there. Nielsen started her own movie studio in Berlin in the 1920s. She went back to Denmark in 1937 after Nazism became a problem. Later in life, Nielsen became a collage artist and an author.

Asta Nielsen
Asta Nielsen in 1911
Born
Asta Sofie Amalie Nielsen

(1881-09-11)11 September 1881
Died24 May 1972(1972-05-24) (aged 90)
Frederiksberg, Denmark
Burial placeVestre Cemetery, Copenhagen, Denmark
Alma materRoyal Danish Theatre
OccupationActor
Years active1902–1936
Spouses
  • (m. 1912; div. 1918)
  • Ferdinand Wingårdh
    (m. 1919; div. 1923)
  • Anders Christian Theede
    (m. 1970)
PartnerGregori Chmara (1923–1936)
Children1

Movies

change
Year Film Role Notes
1910 The Abyss Magda Vang
1911 Gipsy Blood Jonna Lost film
The Moth Olga / Mademoiselle Yvonne Lost film
Den sorte drøm [da; de; fi; it; no] Stella
Im großen Augenblick [de; it] Annie
Balletdanserinden [da; de; fi; it; no] Camille Flavier
Der fremde Vogel [de; it] Miss May
The Traitress Yvonne Fragments preserved
1912 Die Macht des Goldes [de; it] Creszenz Fitzinger Lost film
Zu Tode gehetzt [de; fr] Paula Müller Lost film
Poor Jenny Jenny
The Dance of Death Bella Fragments preserved
Die Kinder des Generals [de] Thekla Lost film
Wenn die Maske fällt [de] Sanna Fragments preserved
Das Mädchen ohne Vaterland [de; it] Zidra Fragments preserved
Jugend und Tollheit Jesta Müller Lost film
1913 Komödianten [de; it] Kamma Dieser Lost film
Die Sünden der Väter [de; it] Hanna Meyer
Der Tod in Sevilla [de] Juanita Lost film
Die Suffragette [de; fr; it] Nelly Panburne Fragments preserved
S1 (1913) [de] Gertrud von Hessendorf
The Film Primadonna Ruth Breton Fragments preserved
1914 Little Angel Jesta Schneider
Das Kind ruft [de] Elena Lost film
Zapata's Gang
Das Feuer [de] Wanda Petri Lost film
1915 Die Tochter der Landstraße [de] Zirzi Lost film
The False Asta Nielsen Bolette / Asta Nielsen Lost film
1916 Die ewige Nacht [de] Martha Lost film
Engeleins Hochzeit [de] Jesta Schneider Lost film
Frontstairs and Backstairs Sabine Schulze
Dora Brandes Dora Brandes
The ABC of Love Lis
Cinderella Lotte Lost film
Das Versuchskaninchen Jesta
1917 The White Roses Thilda Wardier
Das Waisenhauskind [de] Esther Lost film
1918 Im Lebenswirbel [de; it; nl] Margit
Rose of the Wilderness Wanda Lost film
The Eskimo Baby Ivigtut
The Queen of the Stock Exchange Helene Netzler
1919 So Ends My Song Dora
Intoxication Henriette Fragments preserved
Towards the Light Countess Ysabel
According to Law Sonja Waler
1920 The Merry-Go-Round Elena
Helmsman Holk Isabella Bouflon Fragments preserved
Kurfürstendamm Lissy / Marie Lost film
1921 Hamlet: The Drama of Vengeance Hamlet
Roswolsky's Mistress Mary Verhag
Wandering Souls Nastassja Baraschkowa
1922 Miss Julie Miss Julie Lost film
Brigantenrache Anica, a Bandit's Bride Lost film
Vanina Vanina
Navarro the Dancer Carmencita Navarro Lost film
1923 Earth Spirit Lulu
Downfall Kaja Falk Fragments preserved
I.N.R.I. Maria Magdalene Fragments preserved
1924 The House by the Sea Teresa
The Woman in Flames Josefine Lost film
Athletes Princess Wanda Hoheneck Lost film
Die Schmetterlingsschlacht [de] Rosi Hergentheim Fragments preserved
1925 Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler Lost film
Living Buddhas Tibetan girl Fragments preserved
Joyless Street Marie Lechner
1926 The Fallen Anna Grosser Lost film
1927 The Vice of Humanity Tamara
Tragedy of the Street Auguste
Agitated Women Clarina Lost film
Small Town Sinners Selma Karchow Fragments preserved
That Dangerous Age Elsie Lindtner
1932 Impossible Love Vera Holgk