Mischa Auer, the renowned American screen actor, was born Mischa Ounskowsky on November 17, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia, to a family of musicians. His grandfather, Leopold Auer, was a famous violinist, and Mischa's father was an officer in the Imperial Russian Navy. However, Mischa's life took a dramatic turn when his father died in the Russo-Japanese War, leaving the family in financial ruin.
After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, Mischa's family disintegrated, and he was forced to live on the streets, barely scraping by in poverty. He eventually reunited with his mother, who had nursing experience, and they fled to Turkey. However, Mischa's mother contracted typhus and died, leaving him alone and adrift.
Leopold Auer, Mischa's grandfather, discovered his whereabouts in Italy and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Mischa matriculated at the Ethical Culture School in New York City and became an accomplished musician, able to play multiple instruments, including the violin and piano.
However, Mischa soon became smitten with acting and turned professional in the 1920s. He made his Broadway debut in 1925 and went on to appear in numerous productions, including the Actors Theatre's production of Henrik Ibsen's "The Wild Duck" and the touring production of "Magda" with Bertha Kalich.
Mischa's breakthrough role came in 1936 when he played the fake nobleman/freeloader/gigolo Carlo in the classic screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey." His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination and cemented his status as a popular character actor.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Mischa appeared in numerous films, including "Rasputin and the Empress," "Viva Villa!," and "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer." He also appeared in the classic screwball comedies "You Can't Take It with You" and "Destry Rides Again."
After World War II, Mischa continued to work in film and television, appearing in European-made films and touring the United States with his vaudeville show. He suffered a heart attack in 1957 but continued to work, appearing in films such as "Confidential Report" and "The Merry Widow."
Mischa Auer died on March 5, 1967, at the age of 61, in Rome, Italy, due to cardiovascular disease. He will be remembered as one of the inimitable character actors who graced the classic films of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
