Paul Henreid was an actor, director, and producer who had a long and successful career in Hollywood starting in the 1940s. Born in Austria in 1908, Henreid eventually found his way to the United States where he made a name for himself in the film industry.
Early in his career, Henreid was known primarily as a romantic leading man. He appeared in films like “The Spanish Main” and “Between Two Worlds” where he played dashing and romantic characters who swept women off their feet. However, it was his role in the classic film “Casablanca” that really put Henreid on the map.
In “Casablanca,” Henreid played Victor Laszlo, the heroic leader of the resistance in Nazi-occupied Europe. His character was a counterpoint to Humphrey Bogart’s Rick, providing a sense of purpose and nobility to the film’s romantic and political themes. Henreid’s performance as Laszlo was widely praised, and he quickly became one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood.
After “Casablanca,” Henreid continued to work steadily in film, television, and theater. He started to branch out in his roles as well, taking on character roles and more complex characters. He starred in the film “Of Human Bondage” as a club-footed artist, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal. He also appeared in other classics such as “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and “Now, Voyager.”
Later in his career, Henreid began to focus more on directing and producing. He directed episodes of television shows like “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Twilight Zone,” and he produced the film “Between Time and Eternity.” Despite his successes as a director and producer, however, Henreid will always be remembered first and foremost as an actor.
Throughout his career, Henreid was known as a charming and elegant performer. He had a natural charisma and a distinctive accent that added to his character’s appeal. He was also known for the “Henreid Lip,” a signature move where he would light two cigarettes at once and hand one off to his co-star.
Despite his many contributions to the film industry, Henreid is unfortunately not as well-remembered today as some of his contemporaries. However, his performances in classic films like “Casablanca” ensure that he will always have a place in Hollywood history.
| Place of Birth | Trieste, Austria-Hungary |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1908-01-10 |
| Deathday | 1992-03-29 |
I recently had the pleasure of watching the classic film Casablanca from 1942, and I have to say, it did not disappoint. From beginning to end, I was completely transported to the exotic locales of Casablanca and swept up in the emotional drama of its characters. First of all, the casting in this film is […]
