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Theo Lingen was a notable German actor, director, and screenwriter who made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Born as Franz Theodor Schmitz on June 10, 1903, traveled from the stages of Hanover to the silver screen and theaters throughout Germany and Austria.
Early Life
Theo Lingen, a young boy from Hanover who was the son of a lawyer, first attended the Royal Goethe Gymnasium, which was the forerunner to the Goethe School. He did, however, leave the school before finishing his last examinations, which marked the start of his unusual path into the entertainment industry.
Lingen’s latent ability was uncovered during preparations for a school play at the Schauburg Boulevard Theater in Hanover, which was his first experience with the theater. His journey into the world of acting started in this way.
Career
Lingen started a professional stage career after adopting the stage name “Theo Lingen,” which is a mix of his middle name and the city of his father’s birth. His character humor and unusual nasal voice captivated audiences in theaters in Frankfurt, Hanover, Halberstadt, and Münster. Lingen immediately established a reputation as an excellent character comic in plays like “The Importance of Being Earnest.” In performances of plays by Bertolt Brecht and Arthur Miller, he was able to play both male and female parts, displaying his impressive flexibility.
Theo Lingen began his illustrious cinema career in 1929, making a huge transition from the theatre to the silver screen. Together with actor Hans Moser from Vienna, they produced a dynamic combo that enthralled audiences in both Germany and Austria. Lingen’s appearances in movies, including those in Fritz Lang’s “M” and “The Testament of Dr. Mabuse,” demonstrated his talent for acting and drama.
A pivotal moment in Lingen’s life was his marriage to Marianne Zoff in 1928. As the political climate in Germany shifted, Zoff’s Jewish heritage placed her at risk of professional disqualification due to the Nazi regime’s discriminatory laws. However, Lingen’s popularity among the general public earned him a special permit from Joseph Goebbels, allowing him to continue performing and shielding his wife from persecution.
Theo Lingen Challenging Times and Resilience
Theo Lingen experienced the turbulent years of Nazi tyranny in Germany. Because his wife’s job was in danger, he thought of going into exile. But Goebbels gave him a special permit that allowed him to carry on performing and shield his wife from punishment because of his enormous popularity. His perseverance and moral strength are evident throughout this time in his life.
A new chapter in Lingen’s brilliant career began in 1936 when the acclaimed Gustaf Gründgens extended an invitation for him to join the cast of the Berlin Prussian State Theatre. To further his artistic career, Lingen directed movies like Heinz Rühmann’s “Hauptsache glücklich” (1941).
What was Theo Lingen’s Cause of Death?
At the age of 75, Theo Lingen passed away in Vienna from cancer in 1978.
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