Frantisek Lederer, a Czechoslovakian native, was born on November 6th, 1899, in his homeland.
As a young boy, Frantisek was fascinated by acting, and his interest in the performing arts led him to begin his career as a department store delivery boy in Prague.
He soon found himself on stage, touring Moravia and then Central Europe, performing alongside renowned actors like Peter Lorre.
Lederer's talent and charisma eventually caught the attention of German actress Henny Porten and her producer husband, who lured him into the world of film.
He made his film debut in the legendary German silent movie Pandora's Box (1929),starring alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.
As Lederer transitioned from silent films to talkies, he quickly became one of Germany's top stars, earning top billing in many of his films.
However, despite his success, Lederer struggled to learn English, a language that would become essential for his future career in Hollywood.
By 1934, Lederer had made the move to America, where he continued to thrive in the film industry, earning top billing and becoming a household name.
Irving Thalberg had big plans for Lederer, intending to make him the biggest star in Hollywood, but Thalberg's untimely death put an end to those aspirations.
Despite this setback, Lederer continued to work in film and television for many years, eventually becoming a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
In his personal life, Lederer was married three times, and his third and longest-lasting marriage lasted an impressive 59 years.
He was a shrewd investor, amassing a significant fortune in the Canoga Park, California area, where he owned a substantial amount of property.
Lederer was also a dedicated teacher and founded the National Academy of Performing Arts, with his close friend Joan Crawford serving on the advisory board.
He continued to teach and mentor until the week before his passing in 2000, at the remarkable age of 100.
