Born in Vienna in 1885, Erich von Stroheim emerged as a prominent force in early cinema by transitioning from a traveling salesman to a multifaceted filmmaker in the United States. His career spanned roles as a screenwriter, actor, costume designer, and producer, leaving a lasting mark on the industry through his meticulous, often uncompromising approach to directing silent films.
Early Career and Hollywood Entry
Stroheim arrived in the United States in 1909 and eventually moved to Hollywood by 1914. His early work included stints as a stuntman and a consultant on German culture. He gained visibility through roles in films like The Country Boy and Old Heidelberg. Working under D. W. Griffith on Intolerance, he served as both an actor and assistant director. During World War I, he frequently portrayed German villains in features such as The Hun Within and The Heart of Humanity.
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In 1919, Stroheim wrote and directed his own script for Blind Husbands. His subsequent projects, including Foolish Wives and the lost film The Devil's Pass Key, established his reputation for high budgets and exacting standards. Tensions with studio executives frequently derailed his progress; Irving Thalberg notably fired him during the production of Merry-Go-Round in 1923, replacing him with Rupert Julian.
The Production of Greed
Perhaps his most significant contribution to cinema is the 1924 film Greed, based on Frank Norris's 1899 novel McTeague. Stroheim filmed extensively in San Francisco and Death Valley, aiming for extreme detail. Although he originally intended a much longer cut, studio intervention reduced the film to roughly two-and-a-half hours. Despite these production disputes, the work is recognized as a major achievement in film history.
Later Life and Legacy
Following years of conflict with Hollywood studios, Stroheim pivoted to character acting, appearing in notable works like La Grande Illusion and Sunset Boulevard, the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination. He spent his final years in France, where he acted, wrote novels, and received the Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1957. He died of cancer in Maurepas that same year.
Fast facts
- Born: 1885, Vienna
- Died: 1957, Maurepas
- Citizenship: United States and Austria–Hungary
- Notable Works: Greed, Foolish Wives, The Merry Widow, La Grande Illusion, Sunset Boulevard
- Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour (1957)
- Occupations: screenwriter, actor, writer, costume designer, film director, film producer
Questions readers ask
What was Erich von Stroheim's most famous film?
He is best known for his 1924 film Greed, an adaptation of Frank Norris's novel McTeague.
Did he continue working in film after leaving Hollywood?
Yes, he moved to France where he pursued a career as an actor, writer, and novelist until his death in 1957.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 1957
- Notable work: Foolish Wives
- Notable work: Greed
- Notable work: The Merry Widow
- Notable work: La Grande Illusion
- Worked as film director, actor and screenwriter
