Einar Sissener: Movies & Filmography

Einar Sissener (21 September 1897 – 4 March 1968) was a prominent Norwegian stage actor, film actor, stage producer, film producer, and theatre director whose career spanned nearly five decades. Born in Kristiania as Einar Rasmus Krag Schnitler Sissener, he was the son of dispensing chemist Einar Andreas Sissener and Ida Cathrine Dorthea Schnitler. Before pursuing a career in the performing arts, Sissener studied law at the University of Oslo for three years without completing his degree, though he remained active in student life during this period. He edited the periodical Minerva, headed the student theatre Samfundsteatret, and served as a board member of the Norwegian Students' Society, experiences that helped shape his future in theatre. Sissener made his stage debut in 1919 at Centralteatret, playing the character "Philip" in an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's play You Never Can Tell. His breakthrough came in 1923 with two notable performances: as "Gottfried" in Ludvig Holberg's comedy Det lykkelige Skibbrud (The Happy Capsize) and as the title character in Molière's comedy Les Fourberies de Scapin. Beginning in 1924, he worked for the National Theatre, where he became best known for his comedy characters. One of his most celebrated roles was "Harald" in Oskar Braaten's comedy Den store barnedåpen (The Great Christening) in 1925, which became one of the National Theatre's greatest successes. Sissener transitioned to film in 1926 with his debut in Glomdalsbruden, and he later acted in the first Norwegian sound film, Den store barnedåpen (1931), reprising his role as "Harald." In 1934 and 1935, he produced the films Syndere i sommersol and Du har lovet mig en kone!. He chaired the Norwegian Actors' Equity Association from 1928 to 1932 and served as theatre director for Søilen Teater in 1932. From 1933 to 1937, he was theatre director for Det Nye Teater, and from 1937 to 1946, he was involved with the revue theatre Chat Noir as an actor, stage producer, and songwriter. He returned to the National Theatre in 1947 and played a total of 127 roles there throughout his career. His final appearance was in Friedrich Dürrenmatt's comedy Meteor in 1967. For his contributions to Norwegian theatre and film, Sissener was decorated Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1960, and was also a knight of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog.