Gisela Werbisek

Gisela Werbezirk (also spelled Werbisek, 8 April 1875 – 15 April 1956) was an Austrian-Hungarian actress. For most of her career, she performed across theaters in Europe, notably in Vienna and Berlin, and at one time was compared to stage actress Marie Dressler. Upon the invasion of Austria shortly before the onset of World War II, she emigrated with her family to America as a Jewish refugee to escape Nazi persecution. She arrived in New York in late 1938 and performed on Broadway before later having minor roles in Hollywood films. She died in 1956 due to kidney failure.