Marlene Dietrich
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Female
Birthday
1901-12-27
Day of Death
1992-05-06 (90 years old)
Place of Birth
Berlin, Germany
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.
Known For
Acting
(2024)
Maria Callas: The Final Act
as Self (archive photo)
(2021)
Val
as Self (archive footage)
(2021)
Cher: In Her Own Words
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
(2021)
(2019)
Hollywood, The Dream Life of Lana Turner
as Self (archive footage)
(2018)
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
as (archive footage)
(2017)
Becoming Cary Grant
as Self (archive footage)
(2017)
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)
(2009)
Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood
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)
(2004)
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'
as Self (archive footage)
(2003)
Complicated Women
as Self (archive footage)
(2002)
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
as Self (archive footage)
(2002)
The Great Yiddish Love
as (archive footage)
(1996)
(1994)
That's Entertainment! III
as (archive footage)
(1991)
The Meeting of Two Queens
as (archive footage)
(1991)
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
as (archive footage)
(1984)
Going Hollywood: The '30s
as Self (archive footage)
(1984)
Marlene
as Herself (Voice)
(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)
Around the World in Eighty Days
as Saloon Hostess
(1956)
The Monte Carlo Story
as Maria de Crevecoeur
(1952)
Rancho Notorious
as Altar Keane
(1951)
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
(1944)
Follow the Boys
as Marlene Dietrich
(1944)
Memo for Joe
as Self
(1943)
Show-Business at War
as Self
(1942)
The Spoilers
as Cherry Malotte
(1942)
Breakdowns of 1942
as Self
(1942)
Pittsburgh
as Josie 'Hunky' Winters
(1942)
The Lady Is Willing
as Elizabeth Madden
(1941)
Manpower
as Fay Duval
(1941)
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
(1937)
Knight Without Armour
as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
(1936)
The Garden of Allah
as Domini Enfilden
(1936)
Desire
as Madeleine de Beaupré
(1935)
The Devil Is a Woman
as Concha Perez
(1935)
(1934)
The Scarlet Empress
as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
(1933)
The Song of Songs
as Lily Czepanek
(1933)
The Film Parade
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1932)
Shanghai Express
as Shanghai Lily
(1932)
Blonde Venus
as Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
(1931)
Dishonored
as Magda / X27
(1930)
The Blue Angel
as Lola Lola
(1930)
Morocco
as Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
(1930)
(1930)
Dangers of the Engagement
as Evelyne
(1929)
The Woman Men Yearn For
as Stascha
(1929)
The Ship of Lost Men
as Ethel Marley
(1929)
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
as Laurence Gerard / Lucille
(1928)
Art of Love
as Chichotte de Gastoné
(1927)
The Imaginary Baron
as Sophie
(1927)
Cafe Electric
as Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
(1927)
A Modern Dubarry
as Kokotte
(1927)
His Greatest Bluff
as Yvette
(1927)
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 Tragedy of Love
as Lucy
(1923)
Man by the Roadside
as Krämerstochter
(1923)
The Countess of Paris
as Lucie
(1919)
Im Schatten des Glücks
as (unconfirmed)