Marlene Dietrich
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (44)
Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe
as Self (archive footage)
2025
Maria Callas: The Final Act
as Self (archive photo)
2024
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
2021
Beautiful Like a Poem
as Self (archive footage)
2020
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
as (archive footage)
2018
100 Years of the UFA
as Self - Actress (archive footage)
2017
Becoming Cary Grant
as Self (archive footage)
2017
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored
as Self (archive footage)
2013
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
2010
Rediscovering John Gilbert
as Self (archive footage)
2010
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
as Self (archive footage)
2007
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova
as Self (archive footage)
2005
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'
as Self (archive footage)
2004
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
as Self (archive footage)
2004
Complicated Women
as Self (archive footage)
2003
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
as Self (archive footage)
2002
The Great Yiddish Love
as (archive footage)
2002
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
1996
That's Entertainment! III
as (archive footage)
1994
The Meeting of Two Queens
as (archive footage)
1991
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
as (archive footage)
1991
Marlene
as Herself (Voice)
1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
as Self (archive footage)
1984
Just a Gigolo
as Baroness von Semering
1978
I Wish You Love
as Herself
1973
Triumph Over Violence
as Self (archive footage)
1965
Paris When It Sizzles
as Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
1964
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
as Narrator (voice)
1962
Judgment at Nuremberg
as Mrs. Bertholt
1961
Touch of Evil
as Tana
1958
Witness for the Prosecution
as Christine
1957
The Monte Carlo Story
as Maria de Crevecoeur
1956
Around the World in 80 Days
as Saloon Hostess
1956
Rancho Notorious
as Altar Keane
1952
No Highway in the Sky
as Monica Teasdale
1951
Stage Fright
as Charlotte Inwood
1950
Jigsaw
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1949
A Foreign Affair
as Erika Von Schlüetow
1948
Golden Earrings
as Lydia
1947
Martin Roumagnac
as Blanche Ferrand
1946
Kismet
as Jamilla
1944
Memo for Joe
as Self
1944
Follow the Boys
as Marlene Dietrich
1944
Show-Business at War
as Self
1943
