Holger Petersen

(b. Denmark, **/**/1892 - d. **/**/****). Actor.

Biography
Even though between 1916 and 1919 Holger Petersen acted in no fewer than nine films for African Film Productions, not all that much is known about him. Born in Denmark, he seems to have come to South Africa in 1912 as a mining contractor, but eventually found his way into the film industry. Initially he played supporting roles, but in Copper Mask he had the title role as the highwayman who falls in love with Adele Fillis. In June 1919, shortly after that film’s release, it was announced that he had joined Norman H. Lee’s Rand School of Cinema Acting, but August saw the opening of the Holger Petersen School of Cinema Acting and Dramatic Art, probably because Lee was working on his feature Virtue in the City (released January 1920) and, after its failure, had decided to return to England. Holger Petersen Film Productions produced a short comedy that was released in March/April, but like Lee before him, he could not make a go of the acting school and the overwhelming monopoly of African Film Productions stymied any production ambitions he might have had. It is not known what became of him or even whether he stayed in the film industry. (FO)

Filmography
A Zulu’s Devotion (Lorimer Johnston/1916), The Splendid Waster (Lorimer Johnston/1916), De Voortrekkers (Harold M. Shaw//1916), And Then--- (Dick Cruikshanks & Joseph Albrecht/1917), The Piccanin’s Christmas (Dick Cruikshanks & Joseph Albrecht/1917), The Symbol of Sacrifice (Dick Cruikshanks/1918), Bond and Word (Dick Cruikshanks/1918), Copper Mask (Joseph Albrecht/1919), Fallen Leaves (Dick Cruikshanks/1919), Virtue in the City (Norman H. Lee/1920).

Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities P

Return to South African Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page