Biography
Despite any limitations she had as an actress, Charlott Daudert compensated with her wide-eyed energy and charming, spirited personality. The lively blonde began her career as the editor of the children's section of a newspaper in her hometown of Königsberg, East Prussia, where she was known as 'Aunty Charlotte'. She also experimented with costume design. Her shift away from journalism happened suddenly and unexpectedly: accompanying a friend to a theatrical audition as moral support led to Charlott, not her friend, being accepted into drama school. Her discovery is generally attributed to the famous actor Max Pallenberg, who became her mentor. Nicknamed 'Charly' by colleagues, she debuted in a minor role in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" and spent three years at Tilsit's Stadttheater under Pallenberg's guidance. After a brief period in local radio, she moved to Berlin for further training with Leopold Jessner. By 1933, Charly had become a skilled comedienne and caught the attention of Trude Hesterberg. She performed comedy acts and sang in popular cabarets like "Musenschaukel" and "Die Katakombe". Simultaneously, she enlivened the screen as the perpetually naive and alluring friend of the leading lady. Much of her film work leaned toward escapist entertainment, some of which were quite good: April, April! (1935), Der Etappenhase (1937), Kitty und die Weltkonferenz (1939). Continuing in this style after World War II, the ever-likable, lively Charlott sang a popular song ("Ach du liebe Zeit, hat den kein Mensch mehr für die Liebe Zeit") amidst the ruins of Berlin in Nacht ohne Sünde (1950). She also took supporting roles in successful films, including the comedy capers Klettermaxe (1952) and Der blaue Stern des Südens (1951). Unfortunately, despite her lasting appeal as a purveyor of simple joy, true stardom eluded her. Her career decline was worsened by struggles with depression and alcoholism. Occasionally, she would forget or stumble over her lines on stage. By autumn 1960, she planned to retire from acting and run an artist's bed and breakfast in Monaco. However, this never materialized. Just four months later, she died from a blood disorder at the age of 47.
