Biography

Daughter of writer Franz Servaes (1862-1947).

Silent screen diva and later character actress, trained at Vienna's Akademie für Musik und Darstellende Kunst. First on stage in 1912. Came to prominence with Ernst Lubitsch's historical epic La Femme du pharaon (1922) and opposite Emil Jannings in Pierre le Grand (1922). Enjoyed further success on the stage at the Theater in der Josefstadt under the direction of Max Reinhardt. On Broadway in classical plays, 1927-28. Relegated to supporting roles by the 1930's, chiefly cast as aristocrats or royalty. Her career diminished further under the NS regime due to her having a Jewish husband. Continued to act on the stage until a year prior to her death in 1961.

She had a brother, Roderich Servaes, whose son Arnim became a stage actor as well.

Dagny Serveas returned from Germany to her home country Austria in 1945.

The actress Servaes began her film career in the middle of the 10's.