I had heard of Nils Asther since childhood but never saw any of his films. It isn't until now that I realize how attractive he was.
Danish-born but of Swedish parentage, he grew up in Sweden and attended the Royal Dramatic Theater School in Stockholm. His career began in Swedish silent films with Garbo's mentor Mauritz Stiller (with whom he reportedly had an affair) in the early 1920s. He came to Hollywood in the final years of silent films.
By 1928, he was a popular romantic lead, labelled "the male Greta Garbo." His films include the silent classics, "Our Dancing Daughters" with Joan Crawford, and "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" with Lon Chaney.
Pola Negri, Marion Davies, and Greta Garbo (supposedly he proposed marriage) were some of his leading ladies.
He had a less successful career when talkies began. The role of General Yen in the classic, "The Bitter Tea of General Yen" starring Barbara Stanwyck, is his most memorable sound film.
After blacklisted in the mid-30s he sought work in Britain. Returning to Hollywood in the early 40s, he made forgettable films. In the late 50s, he returned to Sweden making occasional television and stage appearances.
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