Theodor Friedrich Emil Janenz, a thespian of great renown, initially honed his craft under the guidance of the illustrious Max Reinhardt's company in the early 20th century.
His impressive on-screen presence was first showcased in the 1919 film "Passion", followed by "Quo Vadis?" in 1924, where he demonstrated his versatility as a convincing actor.
The subsequent years saw him star in "The Last Laugh" (1924) and "Variety" (1925),both of which solidified his reputation as a talented performer.
In 1928, Janenz made history by becoming the first male leading actor to receive the Academy Award for his role in "The Last Command", directed by the renowned Josef von Sternberg.
This success was followed by his iconic collaboration with von Sternberg in "The Blue Angel" (1930),co-starring the young and talented Marlene Dietrich in her first leading role.
As the years progressed, Janenz's focus shifted towards the theater, and he dedicated his acting skills to the Nazi regime. He also participated in the production of the expensive anti-British film "Ohm Krüger" in 1941.
Following the end of World War II, the US government sought to rehabilitate Janenz's image, and he converted to Catholicism. Although he appeared in a few more German films, his career never regained its former brilliance.
