Wessely, Paula#
b. Vienna, Jan. 20, 1907, d. Vienna, May 11, 2000, actress, Kammerschauspielerin, one of the most outstanding actresses of the German theatre of the 20th century. Niece of Josephine Wessely, wife of Attila Hoerbiger, mother of Elisabeth Orth, Christiane Hoerbiger and Maresa Hoerbiger. Debut at the Vienna Volkstheater in 1924, worked in Prague from 1926-1927, again at the Vienna Volkstheater from 1927-1929, at the Vienna Theater in der Josefstadt from 1929-1952 and from 1932 with the director M. Reinhardt at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. Acted at the Salzburg Festival from 1930 (from 1933-1937 "Gretchen" in "Faust I"). Played in films from 1934 (e.g. "Maskerade", 1934; "Episode", 1935; "Heimkehr", 1941; "Die kluge Marianne", 1943; "Der Engel mit der Posaune", 1948; "Maria Theresia", 1951; "Ich und meine Frau", 1953). Founded the P.-W.-film company (until 1960) with A. Hoerbiger in 1950; acted at the Vienna Burgtheater from 1953-1985 (was a "doyenne", honorary title conferred on actors and actresses that gives them the right to act at the Burgtheater for life). Took leave from the stage in1987 with a literature reading. Gave various guest performances; won numerous awards (e.g. 1949 the Reinhardt Ring, 1960 the Kainz Medal, 1979 the A. Seidler Ring).
Literature#
E. Orth, Maerchen ihres Lebens. Meine Eltern P. W. und Attila Hoerbiger, 1975; E. Fuhrich and G. Prossnitz, P. W. und Attila Hoerbiger. Ihr Leben - ihr Spiel, 1992; M. Steiner, P. W., 1993; F. Weissensteiner, Publikumslieblinge. Von Hans Albers bis P. W., 1994; M. Steiner, P. W. Die verdraengten Jahre, 1996.