1. Overview
Albert Conti (January 29, 1887 - January 18, 1967) was an Austrian-American actor known for his roles in both silent and sound films. Born Albert Maroica Blasius Franz Maria, Ritter Conti von Cedassamare, into the noble Kaboga family in Gorizia, he initially pursued a legal and scientific education and served as an officer during World War I. After emigrating to the United States in 1919, Conti transitioned from manual labor to a career in Hollywood, where he was discovered by director Erich von Stroheim. He established himself as a versatile character actor, often cast in dignified roles, and remained involved in the film industry until his retirement in 1962.
2. Early Life and Background
Albert Conti's early life was marked by his noble lineage, a comprehensive education in law and natural sciences, and military service during World War I in his native Austria.
2.1. Birth and Family Background
Albert Conti was born on January 29, 1887, in the village of Gorizia, which is now part of Italy. He was born into an aristocratic lineage, being a member of the noble Kaboga family. His father was Albert, Ritter Conti von Cedassamare, and his mother was Countess Marie Bernhardine Anna Kaboga, a member of an old Ragusan/Dubrovnik noble family.
2.2. Education and World War I
Before his acting career, Conti specialized in law, completing his high school and law college education in Graz, Austria. He also studied natural sciences. With the onset of World War I, he became an officer in the Austrian army. He was discharged from military service at the close of the war.
3. Emigration to the United States
Following his discharge from the Austrian army and the end of World War I, Albert Conti emigrated to the United States in 1919. He arrived via the Port of Philadelphia. Despite his patrician background, upon settling in the new country, Conti took on a series of manual labor jobs to support himself.
4. Acting Career
Albert Conti's professional journey in the United States began with his discovery by a prominent director, leading to a diverse career spanning both the silent film and sound film eras, and continued with his involvement in the film industry even after his acting roles diminished.
4.1. Discovery and Early Roles
While working in the California oil fields, Albert Conti responded to an open casting call by director Erich von Stroheim. Stroheim was seeking an Austrian military officer to serve as a technical advisor for his upcoming film, Merry-Go-Round (1923). This opportunity marked Conti's entry into the film industry, leading to his first roles.
4.2. Silent and Sound Film Era
Recognized for his acting abilities, Albert Conti secured dignified character roles in a variety of films during both the silent film and sound film eras. His filmography is diverse, including appearances in acclaimed productions such as Josef von Sternberg's Morocco (1930) and the early Laurel and Hardy comedy Slipping Wives (1927). In the 1928 silent film Dry Martini, he played the character of a roué artist, Conway Cross.
4.3. Post-Acting Career and Retirement
Although his last film role was in 1942, Albert Conti continued to be involved in the film industry. He was employed by the MGM wardrobe department, where he worked until his retirement from the entertainment industry in 1962.
5. Selected Filmography
- Merry-Go-Round (1923) - Rudi / Baron von Leightsinn
- The Merry Widow (1925) - Danilo's Adjutant (uncredited)
- The Eagle (1925) - Kuschka
- Watch Your Wife (1926) - Alphonse Marsac
- Old Loves and New (1926) - Dr. Chalmers
- The Blonde Saint (1926) - Andreas
- Camille (1926) - Henri
- Slipping Wives (1927, Short) - Hon. Winchester Squirtz
- Mockery (1927) - Military Commandant at Novokursk (uncredited)
- Love Me and the World Is Mine (1927) - Billie
- The Chinese Parrot (1927) - Martin Thorne
- The Devil Dancer (1927) - Arnold Guthrie
- Honeymoon Hate (1927) - (uncredited)
- South Sea Love (1927) - Max Weber
- The Legion of the Condemned (1928) - Von Hohendorff
- Alex the Great (1928) - Ed
- Tempest (1928) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- The Magnificent Flirt (1928) - Count D'Estrange
- Stocks and Blondes (1928) - Powers
- Plastered in Paris (1928) - Abou Ben Abed
- The Wedding March (1928) - Imperial Guard (uncredited)
- Dry Martini (1928) - Conway Cross
- Show People (1928) - Producer
- Captain Lash (1929) - Alex Condax
- Lady of the Pavements (1929) - Baron Finot
- Making the Grade (1929) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Saturday's Children (1929) - Mengle
- The Exalted Flapper (1929) - King Alexander of Capra
- Jazz Heaven (1929) - Walter Klucke
- The Melody Man (1930) - Prince Friedrich
- Such Men Are Dangerous (1930) - Paul Strohm
- One Romantic Night (1930) - Count Lutzen
- Our Blushing Brides (1930) - Monsieur Pantoise
- Monte Carlo (1930) - Master of Ceremonies
- Madam Satan (1930) - Empire Officer
- Morocco (1930) - Col. Quinnovieres (uncredited)
- Oh, for a Man! (1930) - Peck
- Sea Legs (1930) - Captain
- The Gang Buster (1931) - Carlo (uncredited)
- Liebe auf Befehl (1931) - Der Gesandtschaftssekretär
- Strangers May Kiss (1931) - De Bazan
- Always Goodbye (1931) - Party Gossip (uncredited)
- Just a Gigolo (1931) - A French Husband
- The Common Law (1931) - Strangeways Party Guest (uncredited)
- This Modern Age (1931) - André de Graignon
- Heartbreak (1931) - Liaison Officer
- The Woman from Monte Carlo (1932) - A Man of the World (uncredited)
- The Greeks Had a Word for Them (1932) - Frenchman on Liner (uncredited)
- Freaks (1932) - Landowner (uncredited)
- Lady with a Past (1932) - Rene
- Shopworn (1932) - Andre
- Careless Lady (1932) - French Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Doomed Battalion (1932) - Captain Kessler
- State's Attorney (1932) - Mario
- As You Desire Me (1932) - Captain
- Red-Headed Woman (1932) - Frenchman in Paris (uncredited)
- The Night Club Lady (1932) - Vincent Rowland
- Men Are Such Fools (1932) - Spinelli
- Second Fiddle (1932)
- The Secret of Madame Blanche (1933) - French Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Topaze (1933) - Henri de Fairville
- Love Is Dangerous (1933) - R.J. Ormsby
- The Barbarian (1933) - Restaurant Manager (uncredited)
- Adorable (1933) - The Captain (uncredited)
- I Love That Man (1933) - Pietro - Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Shanghai Madness (1933) - Rigaud
- Torch Singer (1933) - Carlotti
- My Lips Betray (1933) - Auto Salesman (uncredited)
- Gigolettes of Paris (1933)
- Beloved (1934) - Baron Franz von Hausmann
- Nana (1934) - Hugo - Grand Duke's Aide (uncredited)
- Fashions of 1934 (1934) - Savarin (uncredited)
- Gambling Lady (1934) - French Roulette Onlooker (uncredited)
- Riptide (1934) - Man Helping the Fallen Tommie (uncredited)
- The Black Cat (1934) - The Lieutenant
- Elmer and Elsie (1934) - Barlotti
- Love Time (1934) - Nicholas
- Mills of the Gods (1934) - Count Filippo Di Fraschiani
- The Night Is Young (1935) - Mueller (uncredited)
- Symphony of Living (1935) - Mancini
- Shadow of Doubt (1935) - Louie - Head Waiter (uncredited)
- Goin' to Town (1935) - Head Steward (uncredited)
- The Crusades (1935) - Leopold - Duke of Austria
- Here's to Romance (1935) - LeFevre
- Page Miss Glory (1935) - Riding Habit Tailor (uncredited)
- Diamond Jim (1935) - Jeweler
- Hands Across the Table (1935) - Maitre d' in Speakeasy (uncredited)
- Collegiate (1936) - Headwaiter
- The Case Against Mrs. Ames (1936) - Armand - Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Fatal Lady (1936) - Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Hollywood Boulevard (1936) - Bill Sanford - Trocadero Manager
- Three Smart Girls (1936) - Count's Friend (uncredited)
- One in a Million (1936) - Hotel Manager
- Stolen Holiday (1937) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Her Husband Lies (1937) - Antoine (uncredited)
- Cafe Metropole (1937) - Gendarme at Jail (uncredited)
- Dangerously Yours (1937) - Monet
- Conquest (1937) - Count Wallenstein (uncredited)
- I'll Take Romance (1937) - Lepino (uncredited)
- Always Goodbye (1938) - Modiste Benoit
- Gateway (1938) - Count
- Suez (1938) - M. Fevrier
- Charlie Chan in City in Darkness (1939) - Travel Agency Manager (uncredited)
- Everything Happens at Night (1939) - Maitre d'Hotel (uncredited)
- The Cowboy and the Blonde (1941) - Executive (uncredited)
- My Gal Sal (1942) - Henri
- The Human Comedy (1943) - Customer (uncredited)
- The Pride of St. Louis (1952) - Frank Crosetti (uncredited) (final film role)
6. Death
Albert Conti died on January 18, 1967, in Hollywood, California. His death was caused by a stroke.
7. Legacy and Reception
Albert Conti achieved moderate fame as an actor in American films, building a reputation for his ability to portray dignified character roles. His acting skills were noted, and he was regarded as more proficient than many of his fellow expatriates from the former Habsburg Empire who also pursued acting careers in the United States. His contributions spanned the crucial transitional period of Hollywood from silent film to sound film, where he accumulated a wide-ranging filmography.