Karl Mantzius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karl Mantzius
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Portrait of Mantzius by Hansen & Weller
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| Born | 20 February 1860 Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Died | 17 May 1921 (aged 61) Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Karl Mantzius (born February 20, 1860 – died May 17, 1921) was a famous Danish actor, director for plays and movies, and even an opera singer! He was also a smart person who studied theatre history.
Life as an Actor and Director
Karl Mantzius was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. His father, Kristian Mantzius, was also a well-known actor.
When Karl was young, he started acting in small comedy plays. He performed at the Court Theatre in Copenhagen. He was very good, especially in a play called Den Stundesløse. The theatre manager, Edvard Fallesen, was so impressed that he told Karl he should become a professional actor.
Karl Mantzius made his first official appearance at the Royal Danish Theatre on September 1, 1883. He played the role of Jerome in a play called Erasmus Montanus. After that, he became a regular actor and director at this important theatre.
He played many different roles during his career. Some of his famous parts included Dr. Stern in En mand gik ned fra Jerusalem and Lieutenant von Buddinge in Gjenboerne. He even played the funny character Falstaff in Henry IV.
Besides acting in plays, Karl Mantzius also sang in two operas at the Royal Danish Theatre. He performed as Beckmesser in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. He also sang as Jeronimus in the first-ever performance of Carl Nielsen's Maskarade in 1906.
His very last performance at the Royal Theatre was on April 28, 1921. He played Uncle Peter in a play called Det gamle Hjem. He passed away less than a month later in Frederiksberg, at the age of 61. Like his father, he was buried in the Frederiksberg Ældre Kirkegård cemetery.
In 1904, Karl Mantzius helped start the Danish Actors' Association. This group was created to support actors in Denmark.
Movies and Film Directing
In 1914, Karl Mantzius started working as a director for Nordisk Film. This was a big film company at the time. He directed three movies for them:
- Penge (1914)
- Pavillonens hemmelighed (1916)
- Addys ægteskab (1916)
He also acted in one movie himself. This was a Swedish film from 1919 called Hans nåds testamente. In this movie, he played the main character, His Lordship.
