Jean Hersholt

Jean Pierre Hersholt (12 July 1886 – 2 June 1956) was a Danish-born actor who lived in the United States, where he was a leading film and radio talent, best known for his 17 years starring on radio in Dr. Christian and for playing Shirley Temple's grandfather in Heidi. Asked how to pronounce his name, he told The Literary Digest, "In English, her'sholt; in Danish, hairs'hult." Of his total credits, 75 were silent films and 65 were sound films (140 total); he directed four.

Early life

Hersholt was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, the son of Claire (née Petersen) and Henry Hersholt, actors who worked with the Danish Folk Theatre. Hersholt toured Europe performing with his family when he was young. He then graduated from the Copenhagen Art School. His first two films were made in Germany in 1906. He emigrated to the US in 1913, and the remainder of his movies were made in America.

Career

Hersholt's best remembered film roles include Marcus Schouler in Erich von Stroheim's 1924 Greed and Shirley Temple's beloved grandfather in the 1937 film version of the 1880 children's book, Heidi, written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. During his long career in the movies, his roles ran the gamut from early silent villains to secondary parts in which his mild Danish accent and pleasant voice suited him to depict a succession of benevolent fathers, doctors, professors and European noblemen. Hersholt's last role was in the 1955 movie Run for Cover.

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Latest News for: jean hersholt

Angelina Jolie ‘will be devastated’ by Oscars snub for ‘Maria’ — ‘Shows that Hollywood is ...

New York Post 24 Jan 2025
Angelina Jolie is surely “devastated” over being snubbed by the Oscars after pouring her own pain into “Maria,” Hollywood insiders say ... 10 ... Pablo Larraín ... 10 ... She was also received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2013 ... 10.

Producer Brad Fuller, DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter Among Industry Leaders Who Lost Homes in ...

The Wrap 12 Jan 2025
Graham Taylor, co-President of Fifth Season, and British film producer Lynette Howell Taylor ... The couple lived in the Palisades ... Satter is the 2023 recipient of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ... .

'Greed,' a butchered movie masterpiece, celebrates its 100th birthday

New Jersey Herald 24 Dec 2024
... (ZaSu Pitts) into a shrewish hoarder whom he eventually murders, and his best friend (Jean Hersholt) into an implacable enemy who pursues him to Death Valley, were they both die an appalling death.

Richard Curtis brings his Brit magic to ‘That Christmas’

Boston Herald 04 Dec 2024
Bean,” “Blackadder” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” finally has his Oscar! ... Specifically, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, presented to him by Hugh Grant ... “It really is a movie about family, community ... ....

Angelina Jolie could reach another Oscar high note

The Los Angeles Times 26 Nov 2024
Although … ... years before Jolie received her second Oscar nomination, as lead in Clint Eastwood’s period crime drama “Changeling.” Jolie received the academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her work with refugees ... ... And … ... .

Sundance celebrates Michelle Satter and announces gala honors

Park Record 22 Nov 2024
Satter’s contributions to film and advocacy have been recognized with numerous awards including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar presented at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and ...

Late Quincy Jones, Bond film producers bestowed with honorary Oscars

Dawn 19 Nov 2024
British romantic comedy screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, who wrote and directed Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his philanthropy ... .

Late Quincy Jones, Bond film producers bestowed with honorary Oscars at gala

The Daily Herald - St Maarten 19 Nov 2024
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G ... British romantic comedy screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, who wrote and directed "Love Actually" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral", was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his philanthropy ... .

Hollywood gala celebrates Jones, movie veterans

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 19 Nov 2024
"It's a better than nothing Oscar.". Curtis may be best known for his contributions to romantic comedies, but the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was for a lifetime of charitable work, which Grant said was "annoying and frankly selfish." ... Real ones.

Irish stars dazzle at the 2024 Governors Awards

RTE 18 Nov 2024
Thalberg Memorial Award (presented to a creative producer), the Jean Hersholt ... This year, director Richard Curtis recieved the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award; James Bond producers Michael G.

Sharon Stone, 66, is a vision in white as she attends the Governors Ball in ...

The Daily Mail 18 Nov 2024
This year, Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks, and Carol Littleton received Academy Honorary Awards while Michelle Satter was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ... Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Sharon Stone, 66, is a vision in white as she attends the Governors Ball in Los Angeles

The Daily Mail 18 Nov 2024
This year, Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks, and Carol Littleton received Academy Honorary Awards while Michelle Satter was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ... Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Hugh Grant reveals hilarious advice from 'fluffy' director

The News International 18 Nov 2024
The 64-year-old actor, who presented Curtis with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 15th Governors Awards in Los Angeles, reminisced about his career journey with the filmmaker ... You would have been quite wrong ... Thalberg Memorial Award ... .

Kate Winslet is the epitome of chic in a black suit as she attends the ...

The Daily Mail 18 Nov 2024
This year, Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks, and Carol Littleton received Academy Honorary Awards while Michelle Satter was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ... Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Demi Moore, 61, and The Substance co-star Margaret Qualley, 30, stun in black and white ...

The Daily Mail 18 Nov 2024
This year, Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks, and Carol Littleton received Academy Honorary Awards while Michelle Satter was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award ... Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

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