John Gottowt, originally named Isidor Gesang, was born on June 15, 1881, in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary, which is now Lviv, Ukraine. He came from a Jewish family and pursued his education in Vienna before embarking on a career in the performing arts. In 1905, Gottowt joined the esteemed Deutsches Theater in Berlin, where he collaborated with the renowned director Max Reinhardt, establishing himself as both an actor and a director. He became well-known in Berlin's theater scene for his character roles and directorial work.
Gottowt made his film debut in the silent classic "Der Student von Prag" ("The Student of Prague") in 1913. His notable performances continued with the 1920 film "Genuine," directed by Robert Wiene, and he took on a pivotal role in the early science fiction film "Algol." In 1921, he portrayed Professor Bulwer (Abraham van Helsing) in F.W. Murnau's iconic silent horror film "Nosferatu."
Despite his success, Gottowt faced persecution due to his Jewish heritage. In 1933, he was banned from acting professionally. After spending some time in Denmark, he relocated to Kraków, Poland. Tragically, on August 29, 1942, while in hiding in Wieliczka and disguised as a Roman Catholic priest, he was murdered by an SS officer, marking a grim end to his life and career.
