Max Hansen

Danish Tenor and Comedian

German/Danish singer, radio crooner, cabaret artist and actor who had the first half of his career in Germany from the 20's and on until tension with the Nazi regime made him settle in Denmark, where he became a well known cabaret singer. Born December 22, 1897 in Mannheim, Germany, as the illegitimate son of a Danish actress and a Swedish officer, he was placed in custody with a family in Munich. His vocal skills were soon recognized and he performed as "Little Caruso" in Paris, St. Petersburg and Copenhagen before WWI. Encouraged by Franz Lehár in 1919 he started an operetta career in Vienna, which lead to a career high in Germany in the 20's a radio crooner. From 1933 he could no longer perform in Germany as he fell in disfavor with the Nazis allegedly for defaming Adolf Hitler. He settled in Denmark in 1938, where his maternal language - though with a characteristic German accent - helped him establish a film and cabaret career. An attempt to relaunch his career in Germany after WWII failed. Hansen had great success with Ralph Benatzky's "Vita Hästen" (Im weißen Rößl (The White Horse Inn)) in Malmö, Sweden during the 1950 and 1951 seasons. Father of Danish actors Ann-Mari Max Hansen (b. 1949) and Max Hansen Jr. (b. 1954). Born December 22, 1897 in Mannheim, Germany, died November 12, 1961 in Copenhagen, Denmark.