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Photo of Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich

Acting 90 (deceased) years old Berlin, Germany ★ 1.1
Born: December 27, 1901
Died: May 6, 1992

Biography

Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) was a German-American actress and singer, widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures of classic Hollywood. She rose to fame in the 1930s with films like The Blue Angel, Shanghai Express, and Destry Rides Again, captivating audiences with her sultry voice, striking beauty, and androgynous style. Known for her ability to reinvent herself, Dietrich transitioned from film star to a celebrated cabaret performer, touring internationally for decades.

Beyond her career, Dietrich was known for her progressive views and unconventional lifestyle. She openly defied gender norms, often wearing men's clothing both on and off-screen, which contributed to her enigmatic persona. Her personal life has long been the subject of speculation, particularly regarding her sexuality. While she was married to Rudolf Sieber, she was rumored to have had relationships with both men and women, including actresses Claudette Colbert and Mercedes de Acosta. Some sources suggest she was part of Hollywood’s so-called “sewing circle,” a network of women engaged in same-sex relationships. However, Dietrich never publicly confirmed these rumors, maintaining an air of mystery that only added to her legendary status.

Her legacy continues to inspire discussions on gender, sexuality, and Hollywood’s golden age.

External Links

🌐 Official Website 🎬 IMDb

Known For

C
Checking Out: Grand Hotel Self (archive footage) 2004
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema Self (archive footage) 2007
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes 2022
The Spoilers
The Spoilers Cherry Malotte 1942
The Ship of Lost Men
The Ship of Lost Men Ethel Marley 1929

Filmography

Acting Credits (91)

Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe
Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe Self (archive footage) 2025
Maria Callas: The Final Act
Maria Callas: The Final Act Self (archive photo) 2024
The Century of Icons
The Century of Icons Self (archive footage) 2022
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes 2022
Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft
Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft 2021
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir 2021
Beautiful Like a Poem
Beautiful Like a Poem Self (archive footage) 2020
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light (archive footage) 2018
100 Years of the UFA
100 Years of the UFA Self - Actress (archive footage) 2017
Becoming Cary Grant
Becoming Cary Grant Self (archive footage) 2017
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored Self (archive footage) 2013
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage) 2010
Rediscovering John Gilbert
Rediscovering John Gilbert Self (archive footage) 2010
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema Self (archive footage) 2007
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova Self (archive footage) 2005
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright' Self (archive footage) 2004
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
Checking Out: Grand Hotel Self (archive footage) 2004
Complicated Women
Complicated Women Self (archive footage) 2003
Das Jahrhundert des Theaters
Das Jahrhundert des Theaters Self (archive footage) 2002
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song Self (archive footage) 2002
The Great Yiddish Love
The Great Yiddish Love (archive footage) 2002
Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts
Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts Self (archive Footage) 2001
Legenden
Legenden Self (archive footage) 1998
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich 1996
That's Entertainment! III
That's Entertainment! III (archive footage) 1994
The Meeting of Two Queens
The Meeting of Two Queens (archive footage) 1991
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking (archive footage) 1991
Marlene
Marlene Herself (Voice) 1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Going Hollywood: The '30s Self (archive footage) 1984
Just a Gigolo
Just a Gigolo Baroness von Semering 1978
I Wish You Love
I Wish You Love Herself 1973
Triumph Over Violence
Triumph Over Violence Self (archive footage) 1965
Paris When It Sizzles
Paris When It Sizzles Marlene Dietrich (uncredited) 1964
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler Narrator (voice) 1962
Judgment at Nuremberg
Judgment at Nuremberg Mrs. Bertholt 1961
Touch of Evil
Touch of Evil Tana 1958
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution Christine 1957
The Monte Carlo Story
The Monte Carlo Story Maria de Crevecoeur 1956
Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days Saloon Hostess 1956
Rancho Notorious
Rancho Notorious Altar Keane 1952
No Highway in the Sky
No Highway in the Sky Monica Teasdale 1951
German Film Award
German Film Award Self 1951
Stage Fright
Stage Fright Charlotte Inwood 1950
Jigsaw
Jigsaw Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 1949
A Foreign Affair
A Foreign Affair Erika Von Schlüetow 1948
Golden Earrings
Golden Earrings Lydia 1947
Martin Roumagnac
Martin Roumagnac Blanche Ferrand 1946
Kismet
Kismet Jamilla 1944
Memo for Joe
Memo for Joe Self 1944
Follow the Boys
Follow the Boys Marlene Dietrich 1944
Show-Business at War
Show-Business at War Self 1943
Breakdowns of 1942
Breakdowns of 1942 Self 1942
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Josie 'Hunky' Winters 1942
The Spoilers
The Spoilers Cherry Malotte 1942
The Lady Is Willing
The Lady Is Willing Elizabeth Madden 1942
Manpower
Manpower Fay Duval 1941
The Flame of New Orleans
The Flame of New Orleans Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili 1941
Seven Sinners
Seven Sinners Bijou 1940
Destry Rides Again
Destry Rides Again Frenchy 1939
Angel
Angel Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel 1937
Knight Without Armour
Knight Without Armour Countess Alexandra Vladinoff 1937
The Garden of Allah
The Garden of Allah Domini Enfilden 1936
Desire
Desire Madeleine de Beaupré 1936
The Fashion Side of Hollywood
The Fashion Side of Hollywood Self 1935
The Devil Is a Woman
The Devil Is a Woman Concha Perez 1935
The Scarlet Empress
The Scarlet Empress Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II 1934
The Song of Songs
The Song of Songs Lily Czepanek 1933
The Film Parade
The Film Parade (archive footage) (uncredited) 1933
Blonde Venus
Blonde Venus Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones 1932
Shanghai Express
Shanghai Express Shanghai Lily 1932
Dishonored
Dishonored Magda / X27 1931
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test 1930
Morocco
Morocco Mademoiselle Amy Jolly 1930
The Blue Angel
The Blue Angel Lola Lola 1930
Dangers of the Engagement
Dangers of the Engagement Evelyne 1930
The Ship of Lost Men
The Ship of Lost Men Ethel Marley 1929
The Woman One Longs For
The Woman One Longs For Stascha 1929
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame Laurence Gerard / Lucille 1929
Art of Love
Art of Love Chichotte de Gastoné 1928
Cafe Electric
Cafe Electric Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen 1927
His Greatest Bluff
His Greatest Bluff Yvette 1927
Heads Up, Charley
Heads Up, Charley Edmée Marchand 1927
The Imaginary Baron
The Imaginary Baron Sophie 1927
A Modern Dubarry
A Modern Dubarry Kokotte 1927
Manon Lescaut
Manon Lescaut Micheline 1926
Her Dancing Partner
Her Dancing Partner Dancer (Extra) 1925
Leap Into Life
Leap Into Life Mädchen 1924
The Countess of Paris
The Countess of Paris Lucie 1923
The Tragedy of Love
The Tragedy of Love Lucy 1923
Man by the Roadside
Man by the Roadside Krämerstochter 1923
Im Schatten des Glücks
Im Schatten des Glücks (unconfirmed) 1919

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