Inge Keller facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Inge Keller
Keller in a publicity photo for The Last Year (1951)
Born	(1923-12-15)15 December 1923 Friedenau, Berlin, Germany
Died	6 February 2017(2017-02-06) (aged 93) Berlin, Germany
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1942–2017
Spouse(s)	Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1956)​
Children	Barbara
Awards	Golden Orange Award for Best Supporting Actress (1999)

Inge Keller (born December 15, 1923 – died February 6, 2017) was a famous German actress. She performed on stage and in movies for 70 years! Many people called her a "theater legend."

She was one of the most well-known actresses in the former East Germany. People like Thomas Langhoff said she was "perhaps the most famous actress" there.

Around the world, Inge Keller was known for playing an older Lilly Wust in the movie Aimée & Jaguar. This film was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She also won an award for Best Supporting Actress at the 36th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for her role in Lola and Billy the Kid.

In 2006, she received the Order of Merit of Berlin. This is a special award from the city of Berlin.

Early life and beginnings

Inge Keller was born in Berlin in 1923. Her family was quite wealthy. Her father owned a quarry, and her mother's family was involved in industry. She had an older sister and a younger brother.

Inge started studying acting almost by chance. A friend suggested it, and her family was fine with the idea.

First performances

Inge Keller first appeared on stage on November 18, 1942. This was at the Kurfürstendamm Theater. In 1943, she joined the cast at the Freiberg State Theater. Then, in 1944, she moved to the Theater Chemnitz.

During World War II, many theaters in Nazi Germany were closed. This happened on September 1, 1944. Because of this, Inge Keller lost her special status as an actress. She was asked to join the Reich Labour Service, which was a work program. To avoid this, she entered a quick marriage, which ended soon after. She later said she was "simply too lazy" to join.

Career highlights

After the war, Inge Keller went back to acting in Freiberg. This area was then part of the Soviet Occupation Zone. She stayed there until 1947. In 1948, she moved to the Hebbel Theater in Kreuzberg, West Berlin.

Soon, a director named Boleslaw Barlog was very impressed by her. He invited her to join the Schlosspark Theater. There, she got her first big role as Waltraut 'Pützchen' von Mohrungen in The Devil's General. She performed this role 250 times! She also often played Inge Ruoff in Friedrich Wolf's Professor Mamlock.

Around this time, she met Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler. She followed him to East Berlin in 1950. There, she joined the famous Deutsches Theater. Her first show there was on December 23, 1950. She stayed with this theater for 50 years!

Major roles and awards

Keller as Iphigenia in a rehearsal on October 2, 1963

Inge Keller and Karl-Eduard von Schnitzler married in 1952. They had a daughter named Barbara, who also became an actress. They divorced in 1956.

During her long time at the Deutsches Theater, she played many different characters. In 1952, she first played Eliza Doolittle in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. She performed as Eliza Doolittle 472 times over the years! In 1953, she was Emilia in a play called Othello. Other important roles in the 1950s included Goneril in King Lear and Masha in Three Sisters. Besides theater, she also acted in movies and on television. Her first notable movie role was in The Council of the Gods in 1950.

On March 30, 1960, Inge Keller received the Art Prize of the German Democratic Republic. On October 6, 1961, she won the National Prize of East Germany. This was for her role in the TV miniseries Conscience in Turmoil. In the series, she played the wife of an army officer. He decided to surrender the city of Greifswald without a fight, saving it from destruction.

On October 4, 1963, she performed what many called "the role of her life." This was the main character in Iphigenia in Tauris. Critics said her portrayal of the Greek princess was amazing. One newspaper said she made the role an "unprecedented epitome in the portrayal of strong, self-aware women."

In 1977, she received the National Prize again. In the 1980s, she had other memorable roles. These included Julie in Danton's Death and Mrs. Alving in Ghosts.

Later career and final years

Inge Keller in October 2006

In 1999, Inge Keller played the older Lilly Wust in the movie Aimée und Jaguar. This film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She also won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 36th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for her part in Lola and Billy the Kid. In 2000, she received the Caroline Neuber Prize for her "outstanding performance" in theater, movies, and TV.

On July 23, 2000, she performed on the stage of the Deutsches Theater for the last time. She gave a powerful speech as Elisabeth Matrei in a play called Three Ways to the Lake. After this, she became an honorary member of the theater. She still continued to act as a guest.

In late 2012, she played Tilla Durieux in a play called Tilla. This play was shown at the Deutsches Theater.

Honors and death

On October 1, 2006, Inge Keller received the Order of Merit of Berlin. This was given to her by Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

Inge Keller passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 6, 2017. She was 93 years old.

Filmography