Vilma Degischer Cause of Death

Vilma Degischer, born in Vienna, Austria, on November 17, 1911, and passing away on May 3, 1992, in Baden bei Wien, was an iconic Austrian actress who left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape. Her illustrious career spanned theater, film, and radio, where her elegant and charismatic presence graced the stages and airwaves, earning her a place among the legends of Vienna’s prestigious Josefstadt Theater.

Vilma Degischer Early Life and Training

Vilma Degischer, daughter of a Hofrat (a high-ranking government official), embarked on her artistic journey with a background in expressionist dance and classical ballet. She honed her skills under the tutelage of renowned figures such as Grete Gross, Gertrude Bodenwieser, and Ellinor Tordis. Her unwavering dedication led her to the Vienna Max Reinhardt Seminar, where she immersed herself in the art of acting until 1931.

During her training, Degischer made her stage debut as Hermia in “Ein Sommernachtstraum” under the direction of Max Reinhardt at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. It was during this time that she crossed paths with fellow actor Hermann Thimig, whom she married in 1939. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Hedwig (born in 1939) and Johanna (Johanna Thimig, 1943โ€“2014), affectionately known as Hannerl, who also followed in their mother’s footsteps and became accomplished actresses.

Vilma Degischer Career of Distinction

Following her training, Vilma Degischer was engaged by the Reinhardt theaters in Vienna and Berlin. However, her true artistic home emerged at the Josefstadt Theater in Vienna. Though she briefly joined the Deutsches Volkstheater in Vienna from 1935 to 1939, she returned to the Josefstadt, where she remained until her passing in 1992. Over the years, she ascended to the position of doyenne of the theater. Her talent also graced the stages of the prestigious Salzburg Festival, where she delivered captivating performances in productions such as “Figaro lรคsst sich scheiden” (1970), “Jedermann” (1973, 1974, 1976), “Der Talisman” (1976, 1978โ€“1980, directed by Otto Schenk), and “Elias Canetti’s Hochzeit” (1988).

Throughout her illustrious career, Vilma Degischer portrayed approximately 400 roles, showcasing her unparalleled mastery in both classical and modern theater. Her forte lay in conversational and salon plays, making her the ideal choice for the complex female characters created by Arthur Schnitzler and Hugo von Hofmannsthal. In addition to these, she breathed life into classical roles from Shakespeare, Goethe, and Grillparzer to Ibsen, Chekhov, and Pirandello.

While her appearances in the film were relatively rare, she gained widespread recognition from 1955 onward for her role as Archduchess Sophie, the stern mother-in-law of Romy Schneider’s Sissi, in the beloved “Sissi” film trilogy.

In the popular radio series that aired nearly every week from 1952 to 1960, Vilma Degischer portrayed Vilma Floriani, the wife of Oberlandesgerichtsrat Dr. Hans Floriani (played by her brother-in-law, Hans Thimig). Her versatile talent also extended to voice acting, where she lent her voice to the character of Mother Abbess in the German version of “The Sound of Music” (1965).

What was Vilma Degischer’s Cause of Death?

On May 3, 1992, Vilma Degischer died at the age of 80 and the cause of her death has not been revealed. ย She now rests in peace at the Sieveringer Friedhof (Section 2, Group 13, Number 76) in Vienna, alongside her beloved husband.

References

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilma_Degischer

https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Vilma_Degischer


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