Acting · Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark · Born September 11, 1881
Asta Sofie Amalie Nielsen (1881–1972) is considered one of the most influential figures in early film history. Born on September 11, 1881, in Copenhagen, she grew up in modest circumstances. Her father died when she was young, and the family had to move frequently. Despite these difficult circumstances, Nielsen developed a strong affinity for the stage even as a young girl. She took acting lessons and gained her first experience at small theaters before becoming a mother to a daughter in 1901. The decisive turning point in her career came in 1910 with the Danish film “Afgrunden” (The Abyss). Her passionate, modern performance made her internationally famous overnight. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Nielsen did not act in an overly theatrical manner, but relied on subtle facial expressions and psychologically rich body language. This new style of acting made her one of the first major international stars of silent film. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Germany, where she became one of the most sought-after actresses between 1911 and the early 1920s. Together with director Urban Gad, to whom she was married for a time, she starred in a series of successful films. Nielsen often portrayed strong, independent female characters who challenged social norms—an approach that was both unusual and courageous at the time. Among her best-known works are Die arme Jenny (1912), Engelein (1914), and especially her extraordinary portrayal of Hamlet (1921), in which the title character is raised as a woman. With the advent of sound film, Nielsen increasingly withdrew from the cinema. She was convinced that her expressiveness was better showcased in silent film and later focused on theater work, art, and writing. In 1946, she published her memoirs, “The Silent Muse,” in which she reflected openly on her life and work. Asta Nielsen remained a cultural icon into her old age. She spent her final years living a secluded life in Denmark and died on May 25, 1972, in Frederiksberg. Her influence on the art of film is still felt today: she is regarded as a pioneer of a modern, natural acting style and as one of the first women to possess true star power in the international film industry.
MovieAsta Nielsen - Europas erste Filmikone
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieSex, Sensations & Superstars: The History of Danish Silent Cinema
2020
as Self – Interviewee (archive footage)
MoviePlay On! Shakespeare in Silent Film
2016
as Self
Den talende muse - samtaler med Asta Nielsen
2003
as (archive footage)
Die Asta - portræt af Asta Nielsen
1995
as Self (archive footage)
Asta Nielsen
1968
as Herself
German Film Award
1951
as Self
MovieImpossible Love
1932
as Vera Holgk
MovieAsta Nielsen: A Great Artist
1932
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Dangerous Age
1927
as Elsie Lindtner
MovieSmall Town Sinners
1927
as Selma Karchow
MovieAgitated Woman
1927
as Clarina
MovieTragedy of the Street
1927
as Auguste - Old Street Walker
MovieThe Vice of Humanity
1927
as Tamara
MovieThe Fallen
1926
as Anna Grosser
MovieLiving Buddhas
1925
as Tibetanerin
MovieHedda Gabler
1925
as Hedda Gabler
Athleten
1925
as Prinzessin Wanda Hoheneck
MovieJoyless Street
1925
as Maria Lechner (Mizzi)
MovieThe Woman in Flames
1924
as Josephine
Battle of the Butterflies
1924
MovieThe Film in the Film
1924
as Self
The House by the Sea
1924
as Enricos Ehefrau Teresa
MovieI.N.R.I. – A Film of Humanity
1923
as Maria Magdalena
MovieDownfall
1923
as Kaja Falk
MovieNavarro the Dancer
1923
as Navarro
MovieEarth Spirit
1923
as Lulu
MovieVanina
1922
as Vanina
MovieRevenge of the Bandits
1922
as Anica
MovieFräulein Julie
1922
as Julie
MovieWandering Souls
1921
as Nastassja Baraschkowa
MovieRoswolsky's Mistress
1921
as Mary Verhag
MovieHamlet
1921
as Hamlet
Steuermann Holk
1920
as Isabella Bouflon
Kurfürstendamm
1920
as Girl Lissy / Mulatto / Filmstar / Maria
Graf Sylvains Rache
1920
as Madelaine
MovieThe Merry-Go-Round
1920
as Elena
MovieMata Hari
1920
as Mata Hari
In the Eyes of the Law
1919
as Sonja Waler - Journalist - Her Daughter
MovieIntoxication
1919
as Henriette Mauclerc
MovieTowards the Light
1919
as Komtesse Ysabel, grevindens datter
MovieSo Ends My Song
1919
as Dora Waren
The Queen of the Stock Exchange
1918
as Helene Netzler
MovieThe Eskimo Baby
1918
as Eskimo Ivigtut
Eine Rose der Wildnis
1918
as Wanda
In Turmoil
1918
as Margit
The Orphanage Child
1917
as Esther
MovieCinderella
1916
as Lotte
MovieThe White Roses
1916
as Thilda Wardier
MovieThe ABC of Love
1916
as Lis
MovieDora Brandes
1916
as Dora Brandes
MovieFrontstairs and Backstairs
1916
as Sabine Schulze
MovieLittle Angel's Wedding
1916
as Jesta Schneider
Die ewige Nacht
1916
as Marta
MovieThe Guinea-Pig
1916
as Jesta
MovieThe False Asta Nielsen
1915
as Herself
MovieDie Tochter der Landstrasse
1915
as Zigeunerin Zirzi
MovieAsta Nielsen als Mannequin
1915
Das Feuer
1914
as Wanda Petri
MovieZapata's Gang
1914
Das Kind ruft
1914
as Elana
MovieLittle Angel
1914
as Jesta
MovieThe Film Prima Donna
1913
as Ruth Breton
MovieS1
1913
as Von Hessendorffs Tochter
MovieThe Suffragette
1913
as Nelly Panburne
MovieDeath in Seville
1913
as Juanita
Die Sünden der Väter
1913
MovieYouth and Madness
1913
as Jesta Müller
MovieComedians
1912
as Kamma
MovieA Romany Spy
1912
as Zidra
MovieWhen the Mask Falls
1912
as Sanna
The General's Children
1912
as Thekla von der Linde
MovieDer Totentanz
1912
as Bella Burk
MoviePoor Jenny
1912
as Jenny Schmidt
Zu Tode Gehetzt
1912
as Paula Müller
Die Macht des Goldes
1912
as Creszenz Fitzinger
MovieThe Traitress
1911
MovieThe Ballet Dancer
1911
as Camille
MovieThe Strange Bird
1911
as Miss May Wolton
MovieGypsy Blood
1911
as Luscha
MovieThe Great Moment
1911
as Annie
MovieThe Black Dream
1911
as Stella, cirkusdanserinde
The Moth
1911
as Olga, Mademoiselle Yvonne
MovieGypsy Blood
1911
as Jonna
MovieThe Abyss
1910
as Magda Vang
