Albert Bassermann
A masterful German stage actor who brought his commanding presence to Hollywood, earning an Oscar nomination in his seventies.
1867–1952 (age 85)·German actor·Birthday: September 7·The Gilded Age
Biography
Albert Bassermann belonged to a vanished era of theatrical grandeur. For decades, he was a pillar of the German-speaking stage, a commanding presence in the works of Ibsen and Shakespeare, whose performances were marked by profound psychological depth. His possession of the Iffland-Ring, a legendary heirloom passed to the 'most significant' German actor, signaled his peerless status. The rise of the Nazis forced a dramatic second act. Emigrating first to Switzerland and then to the United States in his late sixties, Bassermann improbably conquered a new medium: Hollywood. With his distinctive voice and aristocratic bearing, he became a sought-after character actor, bringing gravity to films like 'Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet' and, most famously, Alfred Hitchcock's 'Foreign Correspondent,' which earned him an Academy Award nomination. His journey stands as a testament to artistic resilience and timeless craft.
The Gilded Age
1860–1882
Born during or after the Civil War, they built industrial America — the railroads, the steel mills, the first skyscrapers. An era of massive wealth, massive inequality, and the belief that the future belonged to whoever could build it fastest.
Albert was born in 1867, placing them squarely in The Gilded Age. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Albert Was Born
The biggest hits of 1867
Albert's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1867Born
President: Andrew Johnson
1872Started school
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1880Became a teenager
Edison patents the incandescent light bulb
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1883Could drive
President: Chester A. Arthur
1885Could vote
Karl Benz builds the first gasoline-powered automobile
President: Grover Cleveland
1888Turned 21
President: Grover Cleveland
1897Turned 30
President: William McKinley
1907Turned 40
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1917Turned 50
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1927Turned 60
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1937Turned 70
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 80
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1952Died at 85
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
Key Achievements
- Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Foreign Correspondent' (1940).
- Was the bearer of the Iffland-Ring, an honor bestowed upon the most important German actor, from 1919 until his death.
- Enjoyed a major career on the stages of Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich, performing classic and contemporary roles.
- Made a successful transition to Hollywood films in his late sixties, appearing in over 20 American movies.
Did You Know?
He was a staunch anti-Nazi and left Germany in 1933 after refusing to perform for Joseph Goebbels.
Bassermann learned his English-language film lines phonetically, as he spoke very little English.
He and his wife, actress Elsa Schiff, frequently performed together on stage.
“The ring is a responsibility to the art, not a trophy for the artist.”
