Fernanda Eliscu (April 24, 1880 – September 27, 1968) was a Romanian-born actress in the United States, in English and Yiddish productions on stage and screen.
Early life Fernanda Eliscu was born in Iași, Romania (some sources say Bucharest). She moved to the United States as a girl with her parents."Theatrical" Monroe News-Star (March 3, 1910): 5. via Newspapers.com She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and at Cooper Union."New Dramatic Stars Announced for Next Season; Charlotte Walker and Fernanda Eliscu Talented Young Players" Wichita Daily Eagle (June 2, 1907): 17. via Newspapers.com
Career Early in her acting career, Eliscu was associated with Minnie Maddern Fiske and Maude Adams."Fernanda Eliscu May Be Starred" New York Times (May 16, 1907): 7. via Newspapers.com On stage, Eliscu acted in The Little Minister, Cyrano de Bergerac (1899), Beau Brummel (1899), Her Majesty (1900), Don Caesar's Return (1901), The Smoldering Flame, Pickpockets, Jacque Duval, Romeo and Juliet (1903), Marta of the Lowlands (1903),"Fernanda Eliscu's Rise" Wilkes-Barre Record (November 30, 1903): 12. via Newspapers.com The Light from Saint Agnes (1906), Ruth (1907),"Local Amusements" Pittston Gazette (September 27, 1907): 5. via Newspapers.com The Third Degree (1909-1910),"'The Third Degree' Seen Again With New Actress" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (September 13, 1910): 20. via Newspapers.com The Outsider (1924, 1928),Thomas S. Hischak, Broadway Plays and Musicals (McFarland 2009): 348. If I Were You (1931), Triplets (1932), Creeping Fire (1935), and Winterset (1936).Fernanda Eliscu, Playbill database. Her extensive collection of hair ornaments, combs, pins, and clasps, was considered remarkable."Makes Fad of Hair Ornaments" Akron Beacon Journal (May 20, 1910): 16. via Newspapers.com
In 1909, the Los Angeles Times theatre critic raved about Eliscu, assuring readers that "If the name of Fernanda Eliscu is not inscribed high in the records of dramatic accomplishment during the next ten years, it will be because either dramatic accomplishment or Fernanda Eliscu has ceased to exist.""Music and the Stage" Los Angeles Times (October 13, 1909): 115.
Eliscu also appeared in films, including Winterset (1936), Background to Danger (1943),Everett Aaker, George Raft: The Films (McFarland 2013): 102. Berlin Express (1948),Paul Mavis, The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999 (McFarland 2011): 123. Harbor of Missing Men (1950), and Charge of the Lancers (1954).
Personal life Fernanda Eliscu married actor Carl Anthony Pfeil. They had three children before Pfeil died in 1930."Carl Anthony, Actor, Dies at 52" New York Times (July 29, 1930): 15. Fernanda Eliscu died in 1968, in Los Angeles, California, aged 88 years.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1936 Winterset Piny 1943 Background to Danger Turkish Wife on Train Uncredited1943 The Song of Bernadette Townswoman Uncredited1944 You Can't Ration Love Mrs. Boskowsky Uncredited1944 Uncertain Glory Middle-Aged Woman at Meeting Uncredited1945 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Minor Role Uncredited1945 Her Highness and the Bellboy Diplomat's Wife Uncredited1946 Gilda Bendolin's Wife Uncredited1946 The Verdict French Housekeeper Uncredited1947 Unconquered Squaw Uncredited1947 Desire Me Old Woman Uncredited1947 A Double Life Landlady Uncredited1948 Arch of Triumph Flower Woman Uncredited1948 Berlin Express German Woman Uncredited1949 Samson and Delilah Herdswoman Uncredited1950 Black Hand Minor Role Uncredited1950 Harbor of Missing Men Mama Corcoris 1952 Viva Zapata! Fuentes' Wife Uncredited1953 Remains to Be Seen Minor Role Uncredited1954 Charge of the Lancers Keta 1957 Istanbul Cleaning Woman Uncredited, (final film role)
References
External links
A photograph of Fernanda Eliscu, circa 1931, in the New York Public Library Digital Collections.