About Olaf Fønss
Lived 1882 – 1949 (aged 67). Olaf Fønss was a Danish actor, film director, autobiographer, stage actor, film actor and film producer.
Olaf Holger Axel Fønss (17 October 1882 – 11 March 1949) was a Danish actor, director, producer, film censor and one of Denmark and Germany's biggest stars of the silent film era.
Career Fønss' leading role in the 1913 Danish classic Atlantis made his face recognizable to movie fans. It was his role as the artificial creature in the 1916 German science fiction film series, Homunculus, that earned Fønss status as a top matinee idol. In the 1930s, Fønss became politically active by directing two films for Denmark's Socialdemokratiske Parti (Social Democracy Party), Den Store Dag (1930) and Under Den Gamle Fane (1932). He was president of the Danish Actor's Union from 1933–1947 and was a censor for the National Film Censor of Denmark for 14 years.
Filmography As actor
Vask, videnskab og velvære (1932) Die seltsame Vergangenheit der Thea Carter (1929) ... a.k.a. The Unusual Past of Thea Carter (International: English title) Ich lebe für Dich (1929) ... a.k.a. Triumph of Love (USA) Die Waise von Lowood (1926) ... a.k.a. Orphan of Lowood (International: English title) Lace (1926) Vajsenhusbarn (1926) Fra Piazza del Popolo (1925)... a.k.a. 'Mists of the Past (UK) Das Unbekannte Morgen (1923) ... a.k.a. The Unknown Tomorrow Das Indische Grabmal: Die Sendung des Yoghi (1921) ... a.k.a. The Indian Tomb: Part I, the Mission of the Yogi (USA: video title) A Debt of Honour (1921) Der Gang in die Nacht (1921) ... a.k.a. The Dark Road (USA) Elskovs Magt (1921) Hendes Fortid (1921) Das Indische Grabmal: Der Tiger von Eschnapur (1921) ... a.k.a. The Indian Tomb: Part II, the Tiger of Bengal (USA: video title) Munkens Fristelser (1921) Bajadser (1919) Præsten fra Havet (1918) Dommens dag (1918) Hævneren (1918) Lægen (1918) Fangen fra Erie County (1918) Gengældelsens Ret (1917) Selskabsdamen (1916) Verdens Undergang (1916) ... a.k.a. The End of the World (USA) Gentlemansekretæren (1916) Syndens datter (1916) Hendes ungdomsforelskelse (1916) Homunculus -- film series 1 through six (1916) Cowboymillionæren (1915) Lille Teddy (1915) Den Hvide Rytterske (1915) Ned Med Vaabnene (1914) ... a.k.a. Down with Weapons (USA) Af Elskovs Naade (1914) En Stærkere Magt (1914) Atlantis (1913) Under Mindernes Træ (1913) Zigeurnerorkestret (1912) Bryggerens Datter (1912) ... a.k.a. The Brewer's Daughter (literal English title) Dødsridtet (1912)
As director Hævneren (1919) Samvittighedskvaler (1920) B.T.'s amatørfilm (1923) Den store Dag (1930) Under den gamle Fane (1932)
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Olaf Fønss's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Olaf Fønss?
Danish actor (1882-1949)
When was Olaf Fønss born?
Olaf Fønss was born on 17 October 1882 in Aarhus.
When did Olaf Fønss die?
Olaf Fønss died on 3 November 1949 in Copenhagen.
What was Olaf Fønss's occupation?
Olaf Fønss was an actor, film director, autobiographer, stage actor, film actor and film producer.
What nationality was Olaf Fønss?
Olaf Fønss was Danish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Olaf Fønss. https://biography.guide/olaf-fonss/
MLA: "Olaf Fønss." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/olaf-fonss/.
Chicago: "Olaf Fønss." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/olaf-fonss/.
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