Lya Lys
Actor
About Lya Lys
Lya Lys was a German-born actress who became a significant figure in the European avant-garde before transitioning to a career in Hollywood. Born Nathalie Margoulis in Berlin to a Russian banker and a French pediatrician, she moved to Paris as a young child and was educated in France and Switzerland, eventually studying at the Sorbonne. Her film career began in the late 1920s when she was discovered by MGM as part of a group of French-speaking actors brought to America for foreign-language productions. However, she is most immortalized for her return to Paris in 1930 to star as the 'Young Girl' in Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí's surrealist masterpiece 'L'Âge d'or', a role that defined her as a surrealist icon. Upon returning to the United States, she faced challenges due to her thick accent but eventually secured roles in notable films like 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' and 'The Return of Doctor X'. Her career was cut short in the early 1940s following a series of personal setbacks, including a nervous breakdown and a high-profile bankruptcy, leading her to retire from the screen entirely.
The Craft
On Screen
Lys was known for a sophisticated, European screen presence that transitioned from the ethereal, dream-like quality required for surrealist cinema to the sharp, dramatic delivery of 1930s Hollywood thrillers. Early in her career, her performances were characterized by a silent-film era intensity, which she later refined into a more naturalistic style as she mastered the English language and adapted to the 'talkies'.
Milestones
- Starred in the seminal surrealist film 'L'Âge d'or' (1930) directed by Luis Buñuel
- Appeared in 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' (1939), one of the first major anti-Nazi Hollywood films
- Featured in the cult horror film 'The Return of Doctor X' (1939) alongside Humphrey Bogart
- Was part of the prestigious group of European actors recruited by MGM for the French market in the late 1920s
- Toured successfully in the stage play 'Night of January 16' which helped her overcome her linguistic barriers in Hollywood
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized by film historians as the 'greatest surrealistic woman in the history of film' (Ado Kyrou)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Lya Lys remains a cult figure in cinema history primarily due to her association with the Surrealist movement. Her performance in 'L'Âge d'or' challenged the social and religious taboos of the 1930s, making her a symbol of subversive femininity. In Hollywood, she contributed to the early political cinema of the WWII era by appearing in 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy', helping to shift American public opinion against the Nazi regime.
Lasting Legacy
Her legacy is split between two worlds: she is remembered by art historians as the quintessential surrealist muse and by classic film buffs as a talented 'exotic' actress of the late Golden Age. The character in Jacqueline Susann's play 'The Temporary Mrs. Smith' was partially inspired by Lys's life and her string of marriages. Her transition from a European avant-garde star to a Hollywood supporting actress serves as a case study in the difficulties faced by foreign actors during the early sound era.
Who They Inspired
She influenced the portrayal of the 'femme fatale' in early noir-adjacent thrillers and served as a visual archetype for surrealist artists. Critic Ado Kyrou famously compared Ava Gardner's screen presence to that of Lya Lys, cementing her status as a benchmark for cinematic allure.
Off Screen
Lya Lys had a tumultuous personal life marked by four marriages and significant financial struggles. She was a close friend of Clark Gable and a frequent guest at the Hearst estate during her Hollywood years. In her later life, she moved away from the spotlight and became a respected breeder of champion Afghan Hounds, showing them at Madison Square Garden.
Education
Educated in France and Switzerland; studied languages at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Family
- Charles Morton (1931-1932)
- Percy Montague (1932-1933)
- John Gunnerson (1940-1943)
- George Feit (1954-1986)
Did You Know?
- She was detained by Nazi border guards for several days while trying to flee Europe at the start of WWII.
- She once turned down a direct offer from a Nazi official to appear in German propaganda films.
- During a stressful moment on the set of 'The Return of Doctor X', Humphrey Bogart and Dennis Morgan serenaded her to help her relax.
- She declared bankruptcy on the same day she filed for divorce from her third husband, John Gunnerson.
- She was one of the first people to raise and show champion Afghan Hounds in the United States.
- Her real name was Nathalie Margoulis, but she was also known as Natalie Lyecht in some records.
- She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1933.
In Their Own Words
To be a success in this business you've got to be popular. And to be popular you'd better be just as nice to the least important people as to the great ones. Why, the man who brings you a drink of water today may be your director next week.
My marriage to John Gunnerson was the worst mistake of my life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Lya Lys?
Lya Lys was a German-born actress best known for her role in the 1930 surrealist film 'L'Âge d'or' and her subsequent career in Hollywood during the 1930s.
What films is Lya Lys best known for?
She is most famous for 'L'Âge d'or' (1930), the anti-Nazi drama 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy' (1939), and the horror-thriller 'The Return of Doctor X' (1939).
When was Lya Lys born and when did she die?
She was born on May 18, 1908, in Berlin, Germany, and passed away on June 2, 1986, in Newport Beach, California.
Why did Lya Lys stop acting?
She retired from acting in 1940 following a nervous breakdown, a difficult divorce, and a bankruptcy filing, choosing to live a private life thereafter.
What was Lya Lys's connection to surrealism?
She was the lead actress in 'L'Âge d'or', directed by Luis Buñuel and written by Salvador Dalí, which is considered one of the most important films in the surrealist movement.
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Films
1 film
