John Gottowt - Actor Profile

John Gottowt

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
18Total Films
7.7 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 15, 1881
Birth Place: Lemberg, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Lviv, Ukraine]

About John Gottowt

John Gottowt (born Isidor Gesang; 15 June 1881 – 29 August 1942) was an Austrian actor, stage director and film director for theatres and silent movies. Gottowt was born in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary (present-day Lviv, Ukraine) into a Jewish family. After his education in Vienna, he joined the Deutsches Theater in Berlin in 1905, working for Max Reinhardt as an actor and director. Gottowt was mainly active in different theatres in Berlin as a character actor and director. His first silent film appearance was in Paul Wegener’s Der Student von Prag ("The Student of Prague") (1913). In 1920 he appeared in Robert Wiene's Genuine and took the main role in the early science fiction film Algol. In 1921 he played Professor Bulwer (Abraham van Helsing) in the classic silent film Nosferatu directed by F.W. Murnau. Gottowt made also several films with his brother-in-law Henrik Galeen but, as a Jew, was banned in 1933 from working as a professional actor. After a few years in Denmark he moved to Kraków in Poland. He was murdered in 1942 by an SS officer while in hiding in Wieliczka, disguised as a Roman Catholic priest.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Gottowt reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 18 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Horror

The majority of John Gottowt's filmography leans towards the Horror genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 6% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Gottowt remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Nosferatu, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best John Gottowt Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Gottowt's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Gottowt.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Radiohead X Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror Professor Bulwer - ein Paracelsianer Average Similar →
1932 The Living Dead Beamter des Mechanischen Museums Average Similar →
1930 The Twelfth Hour Sanitarium Doctor Flop Similar →
1926 The Flight in the Night Bediensteter Flop Similar →
1924 Waxworks Owner of the Waxworks Average Similar →
1922 Der schwarze Stern - Flop Similar →
1922 Nosferatu Professor Bulwer Super Hit Similar →
1921 Brennendes Land Wladislaus Flop Similar →
1920 The Night of Queen Isabeau Buckliger Narr Flop Similar →
1920 Algol: Tragedy of Power Algol Average Similar →
1920 Genuine: The Tragedy of a Vampire Guyard Average Similar →
1920 The Hunchback and the Dancer James Wilton Flop Similar →
1920 Der rote Henker L'Angely Flop Similar →
1919 Peer Gynt - 1. Teil: Peer Gynts Jugend - Flop Similar →
1919 Morphium - Flop Similar →
1917 Die Prinzessin von Neutralien The billionaire Vandergold Flop Similar →
1913 Das schwarze Los Brighella Flop Similar →
1913 The Student of Prague Scapinelli - An Old Adventurer Average Similar →

John Gottowt - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Gottowt?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Gottowt is "Nosferatu" with a rating of 7.7/10.

How many movies has John Gottowt acted in?

John Gottowt has been featured in at least 18 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Gottowt?

Other notable films include "Waxworks", "Radiohead X Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror", and "Algol: Tragedy of Power".