Aage Fønss (12 December 1887 – 30 September 1976) was a Danish operatic bass-baritone and actor. Between opera, film, and the theatre, Fønss tended to gravitate towards comedic roles. He was sometimes billed under the stage name Aage Zimmermann.
All of Fønss' brothers were also involved in the dramatic arts and he received vocal and theatrical training from a young age. As an actor, he made his theatrical debut in 1906, before debuting on film in 1910. His career as an opera singer took place primarily in Germany, during the 1910s. His most notable roles as a film actor were filmed in the late 1930s. By the 1950s, his acting style was no longer considered fashionable, and the later part of his career primarily saw him act in supporting roles.
Early life and education Aage Fønss was born 12 December 1887 in Aarhus to Henriette née Zimmermann (d. 1909) and organist Vilhelm Fønss (d. 1918). He was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom pursued acting careers. His brother, Johannes, was a famous operatic bass, and his brother Olaf became a film director and producer.
Fønss received his early theater training under Benjamin Christensen, who was an opera singer at the Royal Danish Theatre at the time. He graduated from Aarhus Katedralskole in 1905 and received a candidate's degree in 1906. He trained as a bass-baritone.
Career Stage career Fønss made his debut as an actor at the in 1906 under Martinius Nielsen, before going on tour with Albert Helsengreen's theatre company. In 1907, he began working at the Aarhus Theatre before returning to the Dagmar Theatre from 1910 to 1912. Like his brother Olaf, Aage sought work as an actor in Germany both on film and in the theatre. From 1912 to 1917, he performed as a singer at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. In Munich he performed under the stage name Aage Zimmermann, and continued vocal training under Felix von Kraus. In 1914, he became a court singer in Bavaria.
In 1917, he worked with the Royal Danish Theatre until his departure in 1963. While there, he was made chairman of the theatre's association of actors and actresses and served as a substitute member of the theatre's council. In 1924, he became chairman of the Danish Actors' Association.
Fønss often acted in comedic-character roles; although his opera repertoire included both comedic and dramatic parts in supporting and leading roles. His roles in theatre and opera included Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, the Devil in Schwanda the Bagpiper, Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro, the Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlos, Jeronimus in Maskarade, the King of Egypt in Aida, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, Kecal in The Bartered Bride, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Oronte in The Misanthrope, Pistola in Falstaff, Pizarro in Fidelio, and Sparafucile in Rigoletto. Film career In film, Fønss gravitated towards more authoritative roles, like that of professor or lawyer, though his comedic tone also made it on screen. In 1910, he made his film debut with , appearing in eight silent films before departing to join Nordisk Film in 1912. He starred in a small number of films with the company, eventually leaving to focus on his theatrical career before returning to film-work in 1919. His most memorable film roles were alongside Marguerite Viby in Mille, Marie og mig (1937), Komtessen på Steenholt (1939), and En Pige med Pep (1940).
In the later part of his career, his theatrical style was considered somewhat antiquated on film. He received few leading roles, but continued to act in supporting roles in the 1950s and 60s.
Personal life On 25 October 1910, Fønss married the actress Gudrun Johanne Theodora Carlson (1884–1971). Aage Fønss died on 30 September 1976.
Selected filmography
Kapergasten – 1910 Elverhøj – 1910 Valdemar Sejr – 1910 Ansigttyven I – 1910 Ansigttyven II – 1910 Holger Danske – 1913 Gæstespillet – 1913 Chatollets hemmelighed – 1916 Der Pfad der Sünde – 1916 Das Haus der Leidenschaften – 1916 Grevindens ære – 1919 Frie fugle – 1922 Den sidste dans – 1924 Paa slaget 12 – 1924 Panserbasse – 1936 Mille, Marie og mig – 1937 Balletten danser – 1938 Komtessen på Stenholt – 1939 En pige med pep – 1940 En mand af betydning – 1941 Peter Andersen – 1941 Forellen – 1942 To som elsker hinanden – 1944 Besættelse – 1944 Oktoberroser – 1946 Kampen mod uretten – 1949 For frihed og ret – 1949 Café Paradis – 1950 Harry og kammertjeneren – 1961 Paradis retur – 1964
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