John Gottowt (15 June 1881 – 29 August 1942) was an

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...

actor,

stage director A theatre director or stage director is a professional in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production such as a play, opera, dance, drama, musical theatre performance, etc. by unifying various endeavors a ...

and

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

for theatres and silent movies. He was born as Isidor Gesang in

Lemberg Lviv ( uk, Львів) is the largest city in Western Ukraine, western Ukraine, and the List of cities in Ukraine, seventh-largest in Ukraine, with a population of . It serves as the administrative centre of Lviv Oblast and Lviv Raion, and is o ...

Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...

(present-day Lviv,

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...

) into a

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

family. After his education in

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, he joined the Deutsches Theater in

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...

in 1905, working for

Max Reinhardt Max Reinhardt (; born Maximilian Goldmann; 9 September 1873 – 30 October 1943) was an Austrian-born Theatre director, theatre and film director, theater manager, intendant, and theatrical producer. With his innovative stage productions, he i ...

as an actor and director. Gottowt was mainly active in different theatres in Berlin as a character actor and director. His first silent film appearance was in

Paul Wegener Paul Wegener (11 December 1874 – 13 September 1948) was a German actor, writer, and film director known for his pioneering role in German expressionist cinema. Acting career At the age of 20, Wegener decided to end his law studies and conce ...

’s '' Der Student von Prag'' ("The Student of Prague") (1913). In 1920 he appeared in

Robert Wiene Robert Wiene (; 27 April 1873 – 17 July 1938) was a film director of the silent era of German cinema. He is particularly known for directing the German silent film ''The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' and a succession of other German Expressionism, ...

's '' Genuine'' and took the main role in the early science fiction film ''

Algol ALGOL (; short for "Algorithmic Language") is a family of imperative computer programming languages originally developed in 1958. ALGOL heavily influenced many other languages and was the standard method for algorithm description used by the ...

''. In 1921 he played Professor Bulwer (

Abraham van Helsing Professor Abraham Van Helsing, a fictional character from the 1897 gothic horror novel '' Dracula'', is an aged Dutch polymath doctor with a wide range of interests and accomplishments, partly attested by the string of letters that follows hi ...

) in the classic silent film ''

Nosferatu ''Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror'' (German: ''Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des Grauens'') is a 1922 silent German Expressionist horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who preys on the wife ...

'' directed by F.W. Murnau. Gottowt made also several films with his brother-in-law

Henrik Galeen Henrik Galeen (7 January 1881 – 30 July 1949) was an Austrian-born actor, screenwriter and film director considered an influential figure in the development of German Expressionist cinema during the silent era. Early years Considerable mystery ...

but, as a Jew, was banned in 1933 from working as a professional actor. After a few years in

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he moved to

Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...

. He was murdered in 1942 by an SS officer while in hiding in

Wieliczka Wieliczka (German: ''Groß Salze'', Latin: ''Magnum Sal'') is a historic town in southern Poland, situated within the Kraków metropolitan area in Lesser Poland Voivodeship since 1999. The town was initially founded in 1290 by Premislaus II of P ...

, disguised as a

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

priest.

List of films

* '' Der Student von Prag'' (1913, directed by

Stellan Rye Stellan Rye (4 July 1880 – 14 November 1914) was a Danish-born film director, active in the early 20th century. Rye was born in Randers. In 1913 he created (together with Hanns Heinz Ewers and Paul Wegener) the silent film '' Der Student von P ...

), as Scapinelli * ''Das schwarze Los / Pierrots letztes Abenteuer'' (1913, directed by John Gottowt & Emil Albes), as

Brighella Brighella (in Bergamasque dialect: ''Brighèla'') is a comic, masked character from the Italian theatre style Commedia dell'arte. His early costume consisted of loosely fitting, white smock and pants with green trim and was often equipped with a ...

* ''Die büßende Magdalena'' (1915, directed by Emil Albes) * ''Satan Opium'' (1915, directed by Siegfried Dessauer) * ''

The Princess of Neutralia ''The Princess of Neutralia'' (German: ''Die Prinzessin von Neutralien'') is a 1917 German silent comedy film directed by Rudolf Biebrach and starring Henny Porten, Paul Bildt and Hermann Picha. Plot After a wealthy young woman rejects the prop ...

'' (1917, directed by Rudolf Biebrach), as Joe Vandergolt, billionaire * ''Peer Gynt. 1. Peer Gynts Jugend'' (1918, directed by Victor Barnowsky), as Dovregubben * ''Peer Gynt 2. Wanderjahre und Tod'' (1918, directed by Victor Barnowsky), as Dovregubben * ''Morphium'' (1919, directed by Bruno Ziener) * ''Der rote Henker'' (1919, directed by Rudolf Biebrach), as L'Angely, court jester * ''

The Forbidden Way ''The Forbidden Way'' (german: Der verbotene Weg) is a 1920 German silent film directed by Henrik Galeen and starring Lupu Pick, John Gottowt, and Edith Posca Edith Posca (1892–1931) was a German stage actress, stage and film actress.A New H ...

'' (1920, directed by

), as Lucas * '' Genuine'' (1920, directed by

), as Guyard, barber * ''

The Night of Queen Isabeau ''The Night of Queen Isabeau'' (german: Die Nacht der Königin Isabeau) is a 1920 German silent historical drama film directed by Robert Wiene and starring Fern Andra, Fritz Kortner, Hans Heinrich von Twardowski and Elsa Wagner. The film dep ...

'' (1920, directed by

), as humpbacked court jester * '' Der Bucklige und die Tänzerin'' (1920, directed by F.W. Murnau), as James Wilton * ''Niemand weiß es'' (1920, directed by

Lupu Pick Lupu Pick (2 January 1886 – 7 March 1931) was a German actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter of the silent era. He appeared in 50 films between 1910 and 1928. Born in Romania, Pick's father was a Jewish Austrian,Hans Morgenst ...

) - Screenwriter * ''

'' (1920, directed by Hans Werckmeister), as alien from the planet Algol * ''Die tote Stunde'' (1920, directed by

Friedrich Feher Friedrich Feher (born Friedrich Weiß, 16 March 1889 – 30 September 1950) was an Austrian actor and film director. He first entered the film business in 1913, starting out as an actor but quickly gravitated toward directing. He is perhaps bes ...

) * ''

Parisian Women ''Parisian Women'' (German: ''Pariserinnen'') is a 1921 German silent film directed by Léo Lasko and starring Ressel Orla, Xenia Desni and Ralph Arthur Roberts.Krautz p.314 The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Herlth and Walt ...

'' (1921, directed by

Leo Lasko Leo or Léo may refer to: Acronyms * Law enforcement officer * Law enforcement organisation * ''Louisville Eccentric Observer'', a free weekly newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky * Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Arts an ...

), as Aristide * ''

Burning Country ''Burning Country'' (german: Brennendes Land) is a 1921 German silent adventure film directed by Heinz Herald and starring Marie Wismar, Ernst Deutsch, and Kurt Vespermann. It premiered in Berlin on 10 March 1921.Grange p. 88 Cast * Marie Wi ...

'' (1921, directed by Heinz Herald), as Wladislaus * ''Susanne Stranzky'' (1921, directed by

Otto Rippert Otto Rippert (22 October 1869 – 15 January 1940) was a German film director during the silent film era. Biography Rippert was born in Offenbach am Main, Germany, and began his career as a stage actor, working in theatres in Baden-Baden, Forst ...

) * ''

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens ''Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror'' (German: ''Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des Grauens'') is a 1922 silent German Expressionist horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who preys on the wife (G ...

'' (1922, directed by F.W. Murnau), as Professor Bulwer (

van Helsing A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car. There is some varying in the scope of the word across th ...

) * '' The Black Star'' (1922, directed by James Bauer) * ''Elixiere des Teufels'' (1922, directed by Adolf Abter) * ''

The False Dimitri ''The False Dimitri'' (german: Der falsche Dimitri) is a 1922 German silent historical film directed by Hans Steinhoff and starring Alfred Abel, Agnes Straub and Eugen Klöpfer.Klossner, Michael. ''The Europe of 1500–1815 on Film and Televisi ...

'' (1922, directed by

Hans Steinhoff Hans Steinhoff (10 March 1882 – 20 April 1945) was a German film director, best known for the propaganda films he made in the Nazi era. Life and career Steinhoff started his career as a stage actor in the 1900s and later worked as a stag ...

), as Ivan's court jester * ''

The Money Devil ''The Money Devil'' (German: ''Der Geldteufel'') is a 1923 German silent drama film directed by Heinz Goldberg and starring Stella Arbenina, Karl Forest and Otto Gebühr.Bock & Bergfelder p.150 Cast In alphabetical order * Stella Arbenina a ...

'' (1923, directed by Heinz Goldberg), as Black * '' Waxworks'' (1923, directed by

Paul Leni Paul Leni (born Paul Josef Levi; 8 July 1885 – 2 September 1929) was a German filmmaker and a key figure in German Expressionism, making ''Hintertreppe'' (1921) and '' Waxworks'' (1924) in Germany, and '' The Cat and the Canary'' (1927), ''Th ...

), as the wax museum's owner * ''Menschenopfer'' (1923, directed by

Carl Wilhelm Carl Wilhelm (born 1872 in Vienna; died in London 1936), was a prolific German film director, film producer and screenwriter of the silent film era, at the end of which his career apparently entirely faded away and he vanished into obscurity. L ...

) * ''

Should We Be Silent? ''Should We Be Silent?'' (German: ''Dürfen wir schweigen?'') is a 1926 German silent drama film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Conrad Veidt, Walter Rilla and Henri De Vries. It was made at the Johannisthal Studios in Berlin. The film' ...

'' (1926, directed by

Richard Oswald Richard Oswald (5 November 1880 – 11 September 1963) was an Austrian film director, producer, screenwriter, and father of German-American film director Gerd Oswald. Early career Richard Oswald, born in Vienna as Richard W. Ornstein, began h ...

), as the doctor's assistant * ''

The Flight in the Night ''The Flight in the Night'' (German: ''Die Flucht in die Nacht'') is a 1926 German silent film directed by Amleto Palermi and starring Conrad Veidt, Robert Scholz and Angelo Ferrari.Soister & Battle p.193-196 It was based on the play '' Henry IV' ...

'' (1926, directed by

Amleto Palermi Amleto Palermi (11 July 1889 – 20 April 1941) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed more than 70 films between 1914 and 1942. He directed '' The Old Lady'', which starred Vittorio De Sica in his first sound film. Se ...

), as a servant * ''

Prinz Louis Ferdinand ''Prinz Louis Ferdinand'' is a 1927 German silent historical drama film directed by Hans Behrendt and starring Kurt Junker, Christa Tordy, Hans Stüwe and Jenny Jugo. It was partly shot at the EFA Studios in Berlin. The film's sets were desig ...

'' (1927, directed by

Hans Behrendt Hans Behrendt (28 September 1889 – 1942) was a German-Jewish actor, screenwriter and film director. He was murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz concentration camp in 1942. Selected filmography Screenwriter * '' Catherine the Great'' (1920) ...

), as newspaper editor * ''Unheimliche Geschichten'' (1932, directed by

), as official of the mechanic museum

References

* Pioniere in Celluloid, Juden in den frühen Filmwelt, Stratenwerth, Simon (Hg), Henschel Verlag, Berlin, 2004, www.henschel-verlag.de * KARTA 42 – 2004, Fundacja Ośrodka KARTA, 02-536 Warszawa, www.karta.org.pl * Dotknięcie anioła (The Kiss of an Angel), Henryk Schönker, 2005, Ośrodek KARTA, 02-536 Warszawa, www.karta.org.pl * Ich war acht und wollte leben, Heinrich Schönker, 2008, Patmos Verlag * Archives of British Film Institute, London

External links

*
filmportal.de
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gottowt, John Austrian male film actors Austrian male silent film actors 20th-century Austrian male actors 1881 births 1942 deaths Actors from Lviv People from the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Austro-Hungarian Jews Jews from Galicia (Eastern Europe) Jewish Austrian male actors Ukrainian Jews People murdered in Poland Austrian Jews who died in the Holocaust