Portrait Photos of Mischa Auer in the 1930s and ’40s

Mischa Auer (1905–1967) was a Russian-born American actor who gained fame in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his comedic roles and for often playing eccentric, charming, or naive characters. Auer was born as Mikhail Semyonovich Unkovsky in St. Petersburg, Russia, and his family emigrated to the United States when he was young. He was trained in Europe and initially worked as a violinist before turning to acting.

Auer first appeared in film in 1928. He had a long career playing in many of the era’s best known films. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1936 for his performance in the screwball comedy My Man Godfrey, which led to further zany comedy roles. He later moved into television and acted in films again in France and Italy well into the 1960s.

Though he didn’t reach the level of stardom of some of his contemporaries, Auer had a successful career, particularly in comedic roles and character parts. Later in his life, he made fewer film appearances but continued to be remembered for his contributions to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of Mischa Auer in the 1930s and 1940s.