Clara Schønfeld
A commanding presence on the Danish stage for decades, she helped shape the golden age of Scandinavian theater with her powerful performances.
1856–1939 (age 83)·Danish actress·Birthday: August 26
Biography
Clara Schønfeld stepped into Danish footlights in the late 1800s and built a career through sustained presence across countless productions. She mastered the classic dramatic repertoire of the 19th century and then transitioned into silent film in the 20th. Audiences knew her as a familiar and reliable pillar of the arts, her name synonymous with professional dedication. Her long tenure on stage made her a witness to and participant in the evolution of European acting styles, leaving a subtle mark on her nation's performing heritage.
#1 When Clara Was Born
The biggest hits of 1856
Clara's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1856Born
1861Started school
President: Abraham Lincoln
1869Became a teenager
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1872Could drive
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1874Could vote
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1877Turned 21
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1886Turned 30
Statue of Liberty dedicated in New York Harbor
President: Grover Cleveland
1896Turned 40
First modern Olympic Games held in Athens
President: Grover Cleveland
1906Turned 50
San Francisco earthquake devastates the city
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1916Turned 60
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1926Turned 70
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1936Turned 80
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Died at 83
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
Key Achievements
- Sustained a performing career that spanned from the late 19th century well into the 1920s.
- Successfully transitioned from a celebrated stage career to performing in silent films.
- Became a mainstay of Danish theater during a period considered its golden age.
Did You Know?
Her career longevity meant she performed for audiences across two different centuries.
She lived to be 82 years old, a considerable age for her time.
Her film work captures a rare glimpse of early 20th-century Scandinavian cinema.
“The audience must feel the truth of the character, not just see the actress.”
