Pola Negri

Date of Birth: January 3, 1897

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: August 1, 1987

Biography

Pola Negri, born Apolonia Chałupiec, was a Polish stage and film actress who achieved international fame during the silent and golden eras of Hollywood. Born on January 3, 1897, in Lipno, Poland, Negri began her career as a ballerina before a bout with tuberculosis forced her to abandon dancing. She then turned to acting, where she found immense success in Warsaw theaters and later in German cinema, notably under the direction of Ernst Lubitsch. Her work in Germany caught the attention of Hollywood, where she moved in 1922 and signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. Negri was known for her exotic beauty, dramatic presence, and passionate performances, which made her one of the most popular actresses of her time. She starred in many successful films, including “The Spanish Dancer” (1923), “Forbidden Paradise” (1924), and “Hotel Imperial” (1927). Her personal life was equally dramatic, marked by high-profile romances with Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. Negri’s career declined with the advent of talking pictures, but she made a notable comeback in the 1940s and 1950s with roles in films like “Hi Diddle Diddle” (1943) and “The Moon-Spinners” (1964).

5 Interesting Facts about Pola Negri

1. Pola Negri was the first European actress to be invited to Hollywood.

2. She was known for her tumultuous relationships with other film stars, notably Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino.

3. Negri was one of the few silent film stars to successfully transition to sound films.

4. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

5. Pola Negri was a fashion icon of her time, popularizing trends such as red toenails and turbans.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pola Negri

1. “I can read the history of my life in my face.”

2. “I shall act, and act, and act – until the breath leaves my body.”

3. “Glamour is what I sell, it’s my stock in trade.”

4. “I was born to be an actress. My life has always been on the stage.”

5. “The screen magnifies everything, even the smallest detail, so you must be perfect.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At her peak, Pola Negri’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, which would be equivalent to approximately $70 million today when adjusted for inflation.