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Emil Jannings

Emil Jannings

Actor · Died January 2, 1950, aged 65 · Rorschach, Switzerland

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 22, 1884
Died
January 2, 1950 (aged 65)
From
Rorschach, Switzerland
Works as
Actor
Titles
8 on MovieCove · 69 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 10% in 30 days

What are Emil Jannings' films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Power.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Power
22%
Self
20%
Ideas
13%
Bonds
8%
Society
4%
Redemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 1 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 3

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 6

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 6 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
7
Tense
6
Dread
2
Contemplative
1
Hopeful
1
Other
3

How their films linger

Bittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Emil Jannings' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 8 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Emil Jannings' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

69 credits, 8 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Forbidden Films(2014)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Making of 'The Last Laugh' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Hotelportier (archive footage)

  • The Oscars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show Actor

  • Where Is Mr. Belling? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Eberhard Belling

  • An Old Heart Becomes Young Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Friedrich Hoffmann, Seniorchef

  • The Dismissal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    Producer · as Fürst Otto von Bismarck

  • Uncle Krüger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Art Direction · Producer · as Ohm (Paul)Krüger

  • Robert Koch, der Bekämpfer des Todes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dr. Robert Koch

  • Der letzte Appell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Actor

  • The Broken Jug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Director · as Adam

  • The Sovereign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Matthias Clausen

  • Traumulus(1936)

    as Prof. Niemeyer, gen. Traumulus

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Old and The Young King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as König Friedrich Wilhelm I.

  • The Black Whale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Peter Petersen

  • The Adventures of King Pausole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as König Pausole

  • The Tempest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Gustav Bumke

  • Darling of the Gods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Albert Winkelmann

  • The Blue Angel(1930)

    as Immanuel Rath

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Betrayal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Poldi Moser

  • Sins of the Fathers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Wilhelm Spengler

  • The Patriot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Czar Paul I

  • Street of Sin(1928)

    as Basher Bill

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Last Command(1928)

    as Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Way of All Flesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as August Shilling

  • Faust(1926)

    as Mephisto

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Love Is Blind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Actor

  • Tartuffe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Tartüff

  • Variety (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Boss Huller

  • The Last Laugh(1924)

    as Hotel Doorman

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Husbands or Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Ehemann

  • Waxworks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Harun al Raschid

  • Quo Vadis? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Nerone

  • All for Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as S. I. Rupp

  • The Countess of Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Ombrade

  • The Tragedy of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Ombrade

  • Peter the Great (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Tsar Peter the Great

  • The Loves of Pharaoh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Pharao Amenes

  • Othello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Othello

  • The Rats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Bruno Mechelke

  • Danton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Danton

  • Anna Boleyn(1920)

    as Henry VIII, King of England

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Der Schädel der Pharaonentochter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Osorcon, Pharao of Egypt

  • Die Brüder Karamasoff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • Algol: Tragedy of Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Robert Herne

  • The Great Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Lorenz Ferleitner

  • Kohlhiesel's Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Peter Xaver

  • Colombine - Die Braut des Apachen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • Rose Bernd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Arthur Streckmann

  • Madame DuBarry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Ludwig XV.

  • Vendetta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Tomasso

  • The Daughter of Mehemed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Vaco Juan Riberda

  • Der Mann der Tat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Jan Miller

  • The Eyes of the Mummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Radu

  • Keimendes Leben (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as James Fraenkel

  • Keimendes Leben. 2. Teil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as James Fraenkel/John Smith

  • Fuhrmann Henschel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • The Merry Jail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Quabbe - der Gaoler

  • Lulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Alfredo, a clown

  • When Four Do the Same (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Segetoff

  • A Night of Horror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Die Ehe der Luise Rohrbach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Der 10. Pavillon der Zitadelle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Hoheit Radieschen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Stein unter Steinen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Göttlingk

  • Passionels Tagebuch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Karl Borke

  • Der Morphinist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    Actor

  • Frau Eva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as ihr Mann, der Fabrikant

  • Life is a Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Verführer

  • Dear Eva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1914)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles from 1914 to 2003.

Biggest box office

The Blue Angel (1930)

$4.4K worldwide

Highest rated

Faust (1926)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Blue Angel (1930)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting68 of 68: 65 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score94thDirecting1 of 68: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 68: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 68: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

68 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1910s22 · acting1920s29 · acting1930s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew1940s4 · 4 acting · 2 crew1950s1 · acting2000s1 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 70% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Emil Jannings' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 84th percentile, the median of all 8; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 87th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 8 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 8 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Traumulus (1936)

96th percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Faust (1926)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 86/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 88, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Emil Jannings' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 19 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Emil Jannings work with?

People who share at least 2 of Emil Jannings' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Josef von Sternberg shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles