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Marlene Dietrich
Actor

Marlene Dietrich

27 Dec 1901Born
6 May 1992Died
90Age at death
69Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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.

Known for

Filmography

  1. 2026Marilyn Monroe: The Rise of an IconFilm: archive footage
  2. 20231939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden YearSeries (1 episode)
  3. 2021Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, LeidenschaftFilm
  4. 2018Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and LightFilm: (archive footage)
  5. 2010Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack CardiffFilm: Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
  6. 2002The Great Yiddish LoveFilm: (archive footage)
  7. 1997StoryvilleSeries (1 episode)
  8. 1996No Angel: A Life of Marlene DietrichFilm
  9. 1995The Casting CouchFilm
  10. 1994That's Entertainment! IIIFilm: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  11. 1991The Meeting of Two QueensFilm: (archive footage)
  12. 1991Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon StockingFilm: (archive footage)
  13. 1978Just a GigoloFilm: Baroness von Semering
  14. 1971Ettan gästar: Marlene DietrichFilm: Interviewee, herself
  15. 1964Paris When It SizzlesFilm: Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
  16. 1963Where Have All the Flowers Gone?Film
  17. 1962Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf HitlerFilm: Narrator (voice)
  18. 1961Judgment at NurembergFilm: Mrs. Bertholt
  19. 1958Touch of EvilFilm: Tana
  20. 1957Witness for the ProsecutionFilm: Christine
  21. 1956The Monte Carlo StoryFilm: Maria de Crevecoeur
  22. 1956Around the World in 80 DaysFilm: Saloon Hostess
  23. 1952Rancho NotoriousFilm: Altar Keane
  24. 1951No Highway in the SkyFilm: Monica Teasdale
  25. 1950Stage FrightFilm: Charlotte Inwood
  26. 1949JigsawFilm: Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
  27. 1948A Foreign AffairFilm: Erika Von Schlüetow
  28. 1947Golden EarringsFilm: Lydia
  29. 1946Martin RoumagnacFilm: Blanche Ferrand
  30. 1944KismetFilm: Jamilla
  31. 1944Follow the BoysFilm: Marlene Dietrich
  32. 1942PittsburghFilm: Josie 'Hunky' Winters
  33. 1942The SpoilersFilm: Cherry Malotte
  34. 1942The Lady Is WillingFilm: Elizabeth Madden
  35. 1941ManpowerFilm: Fay Duval
  36. 1941The Flame of New OrleansFilm: Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
  37. 1940Seven SinnersFilm: Bijou
  38. 1939Destry Rides AgainFilm: Frenchy
  39. 1937AngelFilm: Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
  40. 1937Knight Without ArmourFilm: Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
  41. 1936The Garden of AllahFilm: Domini Enfilden
  42. 1936DesireFilm: Madeleine de Beaupré
  43. 1935The Devil Is a WomanFilm: Concha Perez
  44. 1934The Scarlet EmpressFilm: Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
  45. 1933The Song of SongsFilm: Lily Czepanek
  46. 1933The Film ParadeFilm: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  47. 1932Blonde VenusFilm: Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
  48. 1932Shanghai ExpressFilm: Shanghai Lily
  49. 1931DishonoredFilm: Magda / X27
  50. 1930Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen TestFilm
  51. 1930MoroccoFilm: Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
  52. 1930The Blue AngelFilm: Lola Lola
  53. 1930Dangers of the Engagement PeriodFilm: Evelyne
  54. 1929The Ship of Lost MenFilm: Ethel Marley
  55. 1929The Woman One Longs ForFilm: Stascha
  56. 1929I Kiss Your Hand, MadameFilm: Laurence Gerard / Lucille
  57. 1928Art of LoveFilm: Chichotte de Gastoné
  58. 1927Cafe ElectricFilm: Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
  59. 1927His Greatest BluffFilm: Yvette
  60. 1927Heads Up, CharleyFilm: Edmée Marchand
  61. 1927The Imaginary BaronFilm: Sophie
  62. 1927A Modern DubarryFilm: Kokotte
  63. 1926Manon LescautFilm: Micheline
  64. 1925Her Dancing PartnerFilm: Dancer (Extra)
  65. 1924Leap Into LifeFilm: Mädchen
  66. 1923The Countess of ParisFilm: Lucie
  67. 1923The Tragedy of LoveFilm: Lucy
  68. 1923Man by the RoadsideFilm: Krämerstochter
  69. 1919Im Schatten des GlücksFilm: (unconfirmed)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.