Elisabeth Bergner attained wide recognition as an actor in cinema and on the stage. Born in Brohobycz, Ukraine she began her studies in acting in Vienna at the age of 18 (1915-1919). Following her graduation, she appeared in several plays in Vienna and Munich. Her major breakthrough came in 1923 when she acted in Berlin under the legendary producer Max Reinhardt. Bergner’s performance in the title role of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan (1924) brought her international acknowledgement as one of the finest actors in Europe. Over the course of the next ten years she enhanced her reputation by starring in films directed by Paul Czinner, whom she married.
Bergner broke many traditional concepts for women actors with her portrayals of unusual personalities in such productions as Der Geiger von Florenz and Dona Juana (1927). Her meteoric rise halted abruptly in Europe when the Nazis came to power and because of her Judaism, she had to leave Germany. She and her husband settled in London. Her career began to peak in the English-speaking countries, mainly in London and New York. Her first stage appearance in London in Escape Me Never was an immediate success. Two years later, with the same play in New York, Bergner again conquered her audience. For the movie version of the play, also directed by her husband, She won an Academy Award nomination for Best Female Performance. Bergner appeared in about 15 movies under the direction of her husband. The best of these were the silent ones such as Nju. She also acted in films produced in Paris (1931-1933).
Her best-known title roles were The Boy David, written for her by Sir James Barrie (1936) and The Duchess of Malfi. During World War II Bergner lived in New York where she had great success with the movies: As You Like It and Stolen Life. She was, however, less successful in Hollywood movies.
Bergner toured throughout Germany and Austria after World War II where she performed many roles. In 1968 she appeared in a television production of Berthold Brecht’s the Jewish Wife.
Elizabeth Bergner died in London in 1986.