Boris de Fast: Movies & Box Office

Boris de Fast (July 6, 1890 – 1973) was a distinguished Russian-born actor, screenwriter, film editor, and make-up artist who built a notable career in the European and American film industries during the early twentieth century. Born in Feodosia, a coastal city located in the Crimean Peninsula of the Russian Empire, de Fast was originally known by several alternative names throughout his life, including Boris Fastovich and Boris De Fas. During his early years, he emigrated from his homeland to France, where he became actively involved in the burgeoning film industry of the 1920s and 1930s. His career in cinema began in 1924, and he remained active in the film world until 1967, spanning more than four decades of artistic contribution. De Fast's talents were remarkably versatile, as he not only performed as an actor but also took on significant behind-the-scenes roles, including screenwriting for films such as Volga in Flames (1934) and editing numerous notable productions like The Orderly (1933), Les yeux noirs (1935), The Lie of Nina Petrovna (1937), and Adrienne Lecouvreur (1938). His acting work included a wide range of European films, with standout performances in Michel Strogoff (1926), Napoleon (1927), Princess Masha (1927), and the unusual Madonna of the Sleeping Cars (1928). He also ventured into American cinema, where he delivered a strange villainous performance in the 1928 film Tempest, directed by Sam Taylor, and appeared in The Woman Disputed (1928). Among his other memorable roles were performances in The Ship of Lost Souls (1929), The Ring of the Empress (1930), and The Man with a Broken Ear (1934). De Fast's diverse skill set and his ability to transition between Russian, French, and American productions made him a unique figure in early international cinema.