Emil Jannings was a German-Swiss actor who won the first ever Academy Award for Best Actor in 1929. He was born in Rorschach, Switzerland in 1884 and began his career in silent films. His stage name was Emil Jannings, and he was known for his roles in films such as The Last Command and The Blue Angel. He was also known for his collaborations with director F.W. Murnau. Jannings died in 1950 at the age of 66.