Philip Dorn

Philip Dorn

Frits van Dongen (1901–1975), born Hein van der Niet and sometimes billed as Philip Dorn, was a Dutch actor who had a career in Hollywood. As a teenager he moved out of his parental home to perform in an amateur theatre group; his stage name Frits van Dongen already dates from that period. In the early 1920s, Van Dongen ended up in the professional stage, but it was not until 1934 that he starred in his first film: 'Op Hoop van Zegen'. This film marked his breakthrough as a film star in the Netherlands: in 1935 he played in 'De Big van het Regiment', 'De Kribbebijter' and 'Op Stap' and in 1936 in 'Rubber'. Van Dongen then left for Berlin to work with the likes of Veit Harlan and star in a number of successful German films.

In 1939 Van Dongen and his second wife, Jewish actress Marianne van Dam, left for the United States at the invitation of director Henry Koster, who had directed Van Dongen in 'De Kribbebijter'. When he was given a seven-year contract at MGM, Van Dongen changed his name to Philip Dorn. After making his American debut in 1940 with 'Enemy Agent', he would frequently be cast as continental lover, anti-Nazi German or refugee. In 1952 he returned to Europe for several German films and a Dutch theatre tour with Lily Bouwmeester. In 1953 he quit acting in films, partly due to speech problems due to a concussion. He retired for the rest of his life in California, where he died.

Acting

1952

1952

1950

Spy Hunt
Movie

Paul Kopel

1949

The Fighting Kentuckian
Movie

Col. Georges Geraud

1945

1943

Paris After Dark
Movie

Jean Blanchard

1943

Chetniks!
Movie

Gen. Draja Mihailovitch

1942

1942

Random Harvest
Movie

Dr. Jonathan Benet

1941

Underground
Movie

Eric Franken

1941

Ziegfeld Girl
Movie

Franz Kolter

1938

Covered Tracks
Movie

Bezirksarzt Dr. Morot

1938

The Indian Tomb
Movie

Chandra, Maharadscha von Eschnapur

1938

The Tiger of Eschnapur
Movie

Maharadscha von Eschnapur

Infos

Full Name
Philip Dorn
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
9/30/1901
Date of Death
5/9/1975
Also Known As

Philip Dorn

Fritts van Dongen

Hein van der Niet

Frits van Dongen