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Elissa LandiAustrian, later American actress and writer.
Date of Birth: 06.12.1904
Country:  Austria |
Content:
Early Life and Career
Elissa Landi was born Elizabeth Marie Christine Kunelt on December 6, 1904, in Venice, Italy. Raised in Austria, she pursued her education in England. As a young woman, she aspired to become an author and had written her first novel by the age of twenty.
Landi began her acting career in Europe in the 1920s, appearing in British, French, and German films.
Hollywood Break
In 1931, she immigrated to the United States and made her Broadway debut in "A Farewell to Arms." The same year, she signed with Fox Film Corporation and starred in a series of films, including "The Yellow Ticket" (1931), "Body and Soul" (1931), and her most notable film, "The Sign of the Cross" (1932).
In 1936, Fox terminated her contract after she refused a role in one of their films. Landi then joined MGM, but appeared in only two films, most notably "After the Thin Man" (1936) with Myrna Loy.
Transition to Writing
In 1943, Landi retired from acting and focused on her writing career. She authored six novels and a collection of poetry. That same year, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Legacy
Elissa Landi died from cancer on October 21, 1948. Her contributions to cinema were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1615 Vine Street.
