Elisabeth Bergner

Elisabeth Bergner

Although it is inaccurate to say she is actually a character in Peter Handke's "anti-play," "The Ride Across Lake Constance," her name is used as a designation of a character, as are the names of other celebrated actors of the German cinema, Erich von Stroheim, Heinrich George, Emil Jannings, Henny Porten and the twins Alice Kessler and Ellen Kessler.

An incident with a fan / aspiring actress in 1943-44, while Bergner was performing in the hit play "The Two Mrs. Carrolls" on Broadway, inspired Mary Orr to write her short story "The Wisdom of Eve". The story was ultimately filmed as All About Eve (1950).

As of 2007, she is one of six women, who have received Best Actress nominations for performances directed by their spouses. The other five are Frances McDormand for Fargo (1996), Gena Rowlands for A Woman Under the Influence (1974) & Gloria (1980), Julie Andrews for Victor Victoria (1982), Joanne Woodward for Rachel, Rachel (1968) and Jean Simmons for The Happy Ending (1969). Jules Dassin also directed his future wife Melina Mercouri in an Oscar-nominated performance (Never on Sunday (1960)), but they weren't married yet at the time of the nomination.


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