Biography

Distinguished character actress and acting teacher, on stage from the age of sixteen. First made a name for herself at the turn of the century as a dramatic actress in plays by Gerhart Hauptmann. Had lengthy spells in Berlin with Max Reinhardt at the Deutschen Theater (honorary member from 1946) and also at the Preußischen Staatstheater (1903-32). In silent films from 1913. Her second husband was star actor Emil Jannings, with whom she appeared on screen several times. From 1933-36, director (with Ilka Grüning) of the Staatlichen Schauspielschule in Berlin, subsequently ran her own acting academy. Director and professor at the acting school in Schwerin, 1946-50.

Her stepfather, Georg Höflich (1854-1906), was an actor and director at the Berliner Schauspielhaus.

From 1946 to 1950 Höflich was theater director, actress, play director and head of the acting school at the Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater in Schwerin. In the acting school young talent was groomed for study at national acting academies. Many of these young actors and actresses would later become internationally known.

In 1903 Max Reinhardt recruited her to the Deutsches Theater in Berlin where she performed until 1932.

In 1937 Höflich was named a Staatschauspielerin and temporarily ended her active stage career.