Born in Cøpenhagen, Denmark. The son of a famous Danish actor and actress, he appeared in stage plays throughout Scandinavia before coming to the US in 1914. He made his film debut with Thomas Ince's studio the following year and in the 20s developed into one of the leading character stars of the American silent screen. Because of his foreign accent, the range of his roles became more limited after the coming of sound, but he continued playing character leads and supporting roles in many films, eventually becoming typecast in kindly-country-doctor parts. He is most closely associated with the character of Dr. Paul Christian, which he portrayed in the long-running radio series and in several films. Off-screen, Hersholt was known for his humanitarian activities. In 1939 he received a special Academy Award for services to the industry by the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which he had founded and of which he was president, and in 1949 he was awarded another special Oscar "for distinguished service to the motion picture industry." In 1956, the year of his death, from cancer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, of which he had been president, instituted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, a special Oscar® that has since been awarded each year to film personalities for humanitarian achievements.  Special Award 1939: Motion Picture Relief Fund -- Jean Hersholt, President; Ralph Morgan, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Ralph Block, First Vice-President & Conrad Nagel - "Acknowledging the outstanding services to the industry during the past year of the Motion Picture Relief Fund and its progressive leadership." Winners presented Plaques.  Special Award 1949: For distinguished service to the motion picture industry. Winner presented a Statuette. 2 Special Awards