Born: 1886 (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Died: 1931 (Grenaa, Denmark)
Biography:
Emilie Kirstine Valborg Sannom was born on 29 September 1886 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the daughter of Fritz Emil Sophus Sannom, a seaman, and Johanne Kamilla Hansen. At the age of 11 months, her family moved to Florida, hoping to find fortune there. However, after seven years of unsuccessful endeavors, they returned to Denmark.
Emilie, along with her sisters Charlotte, Thora, and Ragnhild, all showed an inclination towards acting from an early age. It was no surprise when Emilie began her career in the entertainment industry. She started by appearing on stage and taking on minor roles in films. In 1909, Emilie performed in Biorama’s Gøngehøvdingen (The Partisan Chieftain). The following year, she worked alongside the renowned actress Asta Nielsen in Kosmorama’s The Abyss and Nordisk’s Balletdanserinden (The Baller Dancer).
However, it was Emilie’s role in Nordisk’s Hamlet in 1911 that made her a trailblazer in Danish cinema. In the film, she portrayed Ophelia and cemented her place as the first stuntwoman in the country. Her daring performance included throwing herself into the castle moat, captivating audiences and solidifying her reputation as a fearless actress.
From then on, Emilie took on increasingly dangerous roles in numerous films, sometimes even in leading roles. Her talent for performing risky stunts made her a sought-after actress. Throughout her career, she appeared in approximately 85 films, showcasing her versatility and fearlessness. One of her final films was the Italian production La fanciulla dell’aria (Mistress of the Sky), directed by Alfred Lind. In this film, she demonstrated her daredevil skills by performing stunts on a flying plane while wearing only a swimsuit.
While Emilie’s success on the silver screen was admirable, her true passion lay in the world of aviation. In 1918, she began taking flying lessons, fueled by her love for flying. However, she never obtained her pilot’s license. Undeterred, she continued to pursue her passion by performing aerial acrobatics in shows around Denmark. One of her most thrilling acts was jumping from a plane and opening her parachute at the last possible moment.
Sadly, Emilie’s life was tragically cut short during an air show in Grenaa on 30 August 1931. In front of approximately 8,000 spectators, her parachute malfunctioned, leading to a fatal fall. Her untimely demise shocked the nation and brought an end to the remarkable career of a brave and talented woman.
Emilie Sannom’s contributions to Danish cinema and her daring pursuits in the field of aviation have left a lasting impact. Her trailblazing role as the first stuntwoman in Danish cinema paved the way for future generations of female performers. Her passion for flying and her willingness to push the boundaries inspire awe and admiration to this day. Emilie Sannom will always be remembered as a fearless and groundbreaking woman who left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and society as a whole.