Ossi Oswalda, born Oswalda Staglich on February 2, 1899, in Berlin, Germany, began her journey in the entertainment industry as a ballerina and chorus line performer during her teenage years. Her remarkable talent did not go unnoticed, as director Ernst Lubitsch discovered her and cast her in his 1916 film "The Shoe Palace". This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, as Ossi went on to appear in numerous Lubitsch comedies, including "The Doll", "The Oyster Princess", and "I Don't Want To Be A Man", often playing spoiled, child-like characters and even taking on male roles.
As one of Europe's most bankable stars, Ossi earned the nickname "The German Mary Pickford" and became close friends with Ernst Lubitsch, although their relationship remained platonic. In 1919, she married Hungarian Baron Gustav Von Koczian and started her own production company, producing five films together. However, their marriage ended in 1925, and Ossi began a high-profile romance with Crown Prince Willhelm.
Seeking to revamp her image, Ossi signed a contract with an American producer in 1926 and began to play more glamorous characters. Unfortunately, her career suffered with the advent of sound films. Her last film role was in the 1933 drama "The Star Of Valencia". Ossi continued to work on the stage, appearing in operettas in Germany and Vienna. She eventually relocated to Czechoslovakia with her boyfriend, former producer Julius Aussenberg.
In 1943, Ossi wrote the story for the film "Fourteen At The Table". Tragically, by the spring of 1947, Ossi was bankrupt and struggling with various health issues. She passed away on July 17, 1947, at the age of forty-eight, and was buried in Olsany Cemetery in the Czech Republic.
