[Negri 1 Picture]

Negri, Pola

(Apolonja Chalupiec)

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portrait by: Tade Styka

Stage and film actress. Born Jan. 3, 1899, in Janow, Poland. At the age of 19, sent by Dr. Husarski to a Ballet School in Warsaw. Made her first appearance as an actress in "Maiden Vows" at the Warsaw Little Theatre. Her first marriage at the age of 17 was to Baron Popper, a Polish army officer. She divorced her first husband in 1921. Her second marriage to Count Debski took place in 1926. After her second divorce Pola married Prince Serge in 1927 and divorced him in 1931. In France she was called "femme fatale." In a contest of the American Film Producers she was chosen among the first 13 immortal actresses. In 1931 she was engaged to appear in the talking pictures in Hollywood. Her glorious days were in the silent movies. She left U.S. in 1934 and toured many countries in Europe. She founded the Polish Church in Los Angeles for the Polish colony. Maintained a children's nursery in Poland for many years. During her stay in Europe she was engaged in the movies by the French and German producers. European critics called her "exotic star," "child of destiny" and "magnetic Pola." Most publicized woman in the world. Returned to U.S. penniless in 1941. Resides in New York City.

[Ed. She made the movie "Hi Diddle Diddle" in 1943 and became an American citizen in 1951. Her next and last movie was "The Moon-Spinners" (1964) for Walt Disney.]

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

Note according to another source: Born - Dec. 31 1894; died - Aug, 1, 1987 in San Antonio, TX, from pneumonia.

Chalupiec, Apolonia (Pola Negri) - film star


One possible source of information:

Translated from: "Encyklopedia Polskiej Emigracji i Polonii," Edited by: Kazimierz Dopierala, Vol. III, Oficyna Wydawnicza Kucharski, Torun, Poland, 2003.

Note: also see - "Memoirs of a Star" by Pola Negri, Doubleday, NY, 1970
[Negri Article]