Marlene Dietrich
Born: 1901-12-27 in Berlin, Germany
Died: 1992-05-06
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2025
- Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe as Self (archive footage)
2024
- Maria Callas: The Final Act as Self (archive photo)
2022
- The Century of Icons as Self (archive footage)
2018
- Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light as (archive footage)
2017
- Becoming Cary Grant as Self (archive footage)
- 100 Years of the UFA as Self - Actress (archive footage)
2013
- Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored as Self (archive footage)
2010
- Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
- Rediscovering John Gilbert as Self (archive footage)
2007
- Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema as Self (archive footage)
2005
- Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova as Self (archive footage)
2004
- Checking Out: Grand Hotel as Self (archive footage)
- Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright' as Self (archive footage)
2003
- Complicated Women as Self (archive footage)
2002
- The Great Yiddish Love as (archive footage)
- Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song as Self (archive footage)
- Das Jahrhundert des Theaters as Self (archive footage)
2001
- Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts as Self (archive Footage)
1998
- Legenden as Self (archive footage)
1994
- That's Entertainment! III as (archive footage)
1991
- Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking as (archive footage)
- The Meeting of Two Queens as (archive footage)
1984
- Marlene as Herself (Voice)
- Going Hollywood: The '30s as Self (archive footage)
1978
- Just a Gigolo as Baroness von Semering
1973
- I Wish You Love as Herself
1965
- Triumph Over Violence as Self (archive footage)
1964
- Paris When It Sizzles as Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
1962
- Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler as Narrator (voice)
1961
- Judgment at Nuremberg as Mrs. Bertholt
1958
- Touch of Evil as Tana
1957
- Witness for the Prosecution as Christine
1956
- Tony Awards as Self - Recipient
- The Monte Carlo Story as Maria de Crevecoeur
- Around the World in 80 Days as Saloon Hostess
1952
- Rancho Notorious as Altar Keane
1951
- German Film Award as Self
- No Highway in the Sky as Monica Teasdale
1950
- Stage Fright as Charlotte Inwood
1949
- Jigsaw as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1948
- A Foreign Affair as Erika Von Schlüetow
1947
- Golden Earrings as Lydia
1946
- Martin Roumagnac as Blanche Ferrand
1944
- Kismet as Jamilla
- Follow the Boys as Marlene Dietrich
- Memo for Joe as Self
1943
- Show-Business at War as Self
1942
- The Spoilers as Cherry Malotte
- Pittsburgh as Josie 'Hunky' Winters
- Breakdowns of 1942 as Self
- The Lady Is Willing as Elizabeth Madden
1941
- Manpower as Fay Duval
- The Flame of New Orleans as Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
1940
- Seven Sinners as Bijou
1939
- Destry Rides Again as Frenchy
1937
- Angel as Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
- Knight Without Armour as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
1936
- Desire as Madeleine de Beaupré
- The Garden of Allah as Domini Enfilden
1935
- The Devil Is a Woman as Concha Perez
- The Fashion Side of Hollywood as Self
1934
- The Scarlet Empress as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
1933
- The Song of Songs as Lily Czepanek
- The Film Parade as (archive footage) (uncredited)
1932
- Blonde Venus as Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
- Shanghai Express as Shanghai Lily
1931
- Dishonored as Magda / X27
1930
- Morocco as Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
- The Blue Angel as Lola Lola
- Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
- Dangers of the Engagement as Evelyne
1929
- The Woman One Longs For as Stascha
- The Ship of Lost Men as Ethel Marley
- I Kiss Your Hand, Madame as Laurence Gerard / Lucille
1928
- Art of Love as Chichotte de Gastoné
1927
- Cafe Electric as Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
- The Imaginary Baron as Sophie
- A Modern Dubarry as Kokotte
- His Greatest Bluff as Yvette
- Heads Up, Charley as Edmée Marchand
1926
- Manon Lescaut as Micheline
1925
- Her Dancing Partner as Dancer (Extra)
1924
- Leap Into Life as Mädchen
1923
- The Countess of Paris as Lucie
- The Tragedy of Love as Lucy
- Man by the Roadside as Krämerstochter
1919
- Im Schatten des Glücks as (unconfirmed)