Emil Jannings
ActingAbout Emil Jannings
Emil Jannings (1884–1950) was a German actor, the first to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Between 1926 and 1929, he worked in Hollywood. Upon returning to Germany, he sympathized with the Nazi regime and was one of the advisors to Universum Film-Aktiengesellschaft (UFA), the film studios controlled by Goebbels as a propaganda weapon. With the end of World War II and Germany's defeat, his career fell into disgrace.
Emil Jannings Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Emil Jannings reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Emil Jannings's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 90% of Emil Jannings's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Keimendes Leben. 2. Teil, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Emil Jannings Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Emil Jannings's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Emil Jannings has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Hitler's Hollywood | Self - Actor (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films | Himself (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Making of 'The Last Laugh' | Hotelportier (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Los 5 Faust de F. W. Murnau | Himself / Mephisto (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Where Is Mr. Belling? | Eberhard Belling | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Altes Herz wird wieder jung | Friedrich Hoffmann, Seniorchef | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Dismissal | Fürst Otto von Bismarck | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Uncle Krüger | Ohm (Paul)Krüger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Cavalcade of the Academy Awards | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Robert Koch, der Bekämpfer des Todes | Dr. Robert Koch | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Broken Jug | Adam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Traumulus | Prof. Niemeyer, gen. Traumulus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Black Whale | Peter Petersen | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | König Pausole | König Pausole | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Tempest | Gustav Bumke | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | Darling of the Gods | Albert Winkelmann | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Blue Angel | Immanuel Rath | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Betrayal | Poldi Moser | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Sins of the Fathers | Wilhelm Spengler | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Movie City of Hollywood | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Street of Sin | Basher Bill | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Last Command | Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Way of All Flesh | August Shilling | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Faust | Mephisto | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Love is Blind | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Tartuffe | Tartüff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Variety | Boss Huller | Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Last Laugh | Hotel Doorman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Waxworks | Harun al Raschid | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | Quo Vadis? | Nerone | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Film in the Film | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | All for Money | S. I. Rupp | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Countess of Paris | Ombrade | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Tragedy of Love | Ombrade | Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Peter the Great | Tsar Peter the Great | Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | The Loves of Pharaoh | Pharao Amenes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Othello | Othello | Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Rats | Bruno Mechelke | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | Danton | Danton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Anna Boleyn | Henry VIII, King of England | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Der Schädel der Pharaonentochter | Osorcon, Pharao of Egypt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Algol: Tragedy of Power | Robert Herne | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Great Light | Lorenz Ferleitner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Colombine - Die Braut des Apachen | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | Madame DuBarry | Ludwig XV. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | Vendetta | Tomasso | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | The Daughter of Mehemed | Vaco Juan Riberda | Hit | Similar → |
| 1918 | Keimendes Leben. 2. Teil | James Fraenkel/John Smith | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Merry Jail | Quabbe - der Gaoler | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | Life is a Dream | Verführer | Super Hit | Similar → |
Emil Jannings - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Emil Jannings?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Emil Jannings is "Keimendes Leben. 2. Teil" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Emil Jannings acted in?
Emil Jannings has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Emil Jannings?
Other notable films include "Love is Blind", "The Rats", and "The Tempest".