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

Tony Awards

Witness for the Prosecution

Around the World in 80 Days

Touch of Evil

Judgment at Nuremberg

Stage Fright

The Century of Icons

Rancho Notorious

All Movies (87)

• Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe2025 · as Self (archive footage)
• Maria Callas: The Final Act2024 · as Self (archive photo)
• Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft2021
• Normandie ne partira pas ce soir2021
• Beautiful Like a Poem2020 · as Self (archive footage)
• Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light2018 · as (archive footage)
• 100 Years of the UFA2017 · as Self - Actress (archive footage)
• Becoming Cary Grant2017 · as Self (archive footage)
• Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored2013 · as Self (archive footage)
• Vito2011 · as Self (archive)
• Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff2010 · as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
• Rediscovering John Gilbert2010 · as Self (archive footage)
• Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova2005 · as Self (archive footage)
• Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• Checking Out: Grand Hotel2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• Complicated Women2003 · as Self (archive footage)
• Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song2002 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Great Yiddish Love2002 · as (archive footage)
• No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich1996
• The Casting Couch1995
• That's Entertainment! III1994 · as (archive footage)
• The Meeting of Two Queens1991 · as (archive footage)
• Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking1991 · as (archive footage)
• Marlene1984 · as Herself (Voice)
• Going Hollywood: The '30s1984 · as Self (archive footage)
• Just a Gigolo1978 · as Baroness von Semering
• I Wish You Love1973 · as Herself
• Ettan gästar: Marlene Dietrich1971 · as Interviewee, herself
• Triumph Over Violence1965 · as Self (archive footage)
• Paris When It Sizzles1964 · as Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
• Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler1962 · as Narrator (voice)
• Judgment at Nuremberg1961 · as Mrs. Bertholt
• Touch of Evil1958 · as Tana
• Witness for the Prosecution1957 · as Christine
• The Monte Carlo Story1956 · as Maria de Crevecoeur
• Around the World in 80 Days1956 · as Saloon Hostess
• Rancho Notorious1952 · as Altar Keane
• No Highway in the Sky1951 · as Monica Teasdale
• Stage Fright1950 · as Charlotte Inwood
• Jigsaw1949 · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• A Foreign Affair1948 · as Erika Von Schlüetow
• Golden Earrings1947 · as Lydia
• Martin Roumagnac1946 · as Blanche Ferrand
• Kismet1944 · as Jamilla
• Follow the Boys1944 · as Marlene Dietrich
• Show-Business at War1943 · as Self
• Breakdowns of 19421942 · as Self
• Pittsburgh1942 · as Josie 'Hunky' Winters
• The Spoilers1942 · as Cherry Malotte
• The Lady Is Willing1942 · as Elizabeth Madden
• Manpower1941 · as Fay Duval
• The Flame of New Orleans1941 · as Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
• Seven Sinners1940 · as Bijou
• Destry Rides Again1939 · as Frenchy
• Angel1937 · as Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
• Knight Without Armour1937 · as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
• The Garden of Allah1936 · as Domini Enfilden
• Desire1936 · as Madeleine de Beaupré
• The Fashion Side of Hollywood1935 · as Self
• The Devil Is a Woman1935 · as Concha Perez
• The Scarlet Empress1934 · as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
• The Song of Songs1933 · as Lily Czepanek
• The Film Parade1933 · as (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Blonde Venus1932 · as Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
• Shanghai Express1932 · as Shanghai Lily
• Dishonored1931 · as Magda / X27
• Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test1930
• Morocco1930 · as Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
• The Blue Angel1930 · as Lola Lola
• Dangers of the Engagement Period1930 · as Evelyne
• The Ship of Lost Men1929 · as Ethel Marley
• The Woman One Longs For1929 · as Stascha
• I Kiss Your Hand, Madame1929 · as Laurence Gerard / Lucille
• Art of Love1928 · as Chichotte de Gastoné
• Cafe Electric1927 · as Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
• His Greatest Bluff1927 · as Yvette
• Heads Up, Charley1927 · as Edmée Marchand
• The Imaginary Baron1927 · as Sophie
• A Modern Dubarry1927 · as Kokotte
• Manon Lescaut1926 · as Micheline
• Her Dancing Partner1925 · as Dancer (Extra)
• Leap Into Life1924 · as Mädchen
• The Countess of Paris1923 · as Lucie
• The Tragedy of Love1923 · as Lucy
• Man by the Roadside1923 · as Krämerstochter
• Im Schatten des Glücks1919 · as (unconfirmed)

All TV Shows (7)

• The Century of Icons2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Das Jahrhundert des Theaters2002 · as Self (archive footage)
• Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts2001 · as Self (archive Footage)
• Sternstunde Kunst1998 · as Self (archive footage)
• Legenden1998 · as Self (archive footage)
• Tony Awards1956 · as Self - Recipient
• German Film Award1951 · as Self