Marlene Dietrich
Born
December 27, 1901
Died
May 6, 1992 (90 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Berlin, Germany
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
Maria Callas: The Final Act
Self (archive photo)
2024
The Century of Icons
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2022
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
2021
Val
Self (archive footage)
2021
Cher: In Her Own Words
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2021
Hollywood, The Dream Life of Lana Turner
Self (archive footage)
2019
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
(archive footage)
2018
100 Years of the UFA
Self - Actress (archive footage)
2017
Becoming Cary Grant
Self (archive footage)
2017
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored
Self (archive footage)
2013
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
2010
Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
2009
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
2007
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova
Self (archive footage)
2005
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'
Self (archive footage)
2004
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
Self (archive footage)
2004
Complicated Women
Self (archive footage)
2003
Das Jahrhundert des Theaters
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2002
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
Self (archive footage)
2002
The Great Yiddish Love
(archive footage)
2002
Legenden
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
1998
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
1996
That's Entertainment! III
(archive footage)
1994
The Meeting of Two Queens
(archive footage)
1991
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
(archive footage)
1991
Marlene
Herself (Voice)
1984
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Self (archive footage)
1984
Just a Gigolo
Baroness von Semering
1978
I Wish You Love
Herself
1973
Triumph Over Violence
Self (archive footage)
1965
Paris When It Sizzles
Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
1964
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
Narrator (voice)
1962
Judgment at Nuremberg
Mrs. Bertholt
1961
Touch of Evil
Tana
1958
Witness for the Prosecution
Christine
1957
The Monte Carlo Story
Maria de Crevecoeur
1956
Around the World in Eighty Days
Saloon Hostess
1956
Tony Awards
Self - Recipient · (1 episode)
1956
Rancho Notorious
Altar Keane
1952
No Highway in the Sky
Monica Teasdale
1951
Deutscher Filmpreis
Self · (1 episode)
1951
Stage Fright
Charlotte Inwood
1950
Jigsaw
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1949
A Foreign Affair
Erika Von Schlüetow
1948
Golden Earrings
Lydia
1947
Martin Roumagnac
Blanche Ferrand
1946
Kismet
Jamilla
1944
Memo for Joe
Self
1944
Follow the Boys
Marlene Dietrich
1944
Show-Business at War
Self
1943
Breakdowns of 1942
Self
1942
Pittsburgh
Josie 'Hunky' Winters
1942
The Spoilers
Cherry Malotte
1942
The Lady Is Willing
Elizabeth Madden
1942
Manpower
Fay Duval
1941
The Flame of New Orleans
Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
1941
Seven Sinners
Bijou
1940
Destry Rides Again
Frenchy
1939
Angel
Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
1937
Knight Without Armour
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
1937
The Garden of Allah
Domini Enfilden
1936
Desire
Madeleine de Beaupré
1936
The Fashion Side of Hollywood
Self
1935
The Devil Is a Woman
Concha Perez
1935
The Scarlet Empress
Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
1934
The Song of Songs
Lily Czepanek
1933
The Film Parade
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1933
Blonde Venus
Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
1932
Shanghai Express
Shanghai Lily
1932
Dishonored
Magda / X27
1931
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
1930
Morocco
Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
1930
The Blue Angel
Lola Lola
1930
Dangers of the Engagement
Evelyne
1930
The Ship of Lost Men
Ethel Marley
1929
The Woman Men Yearn For
Stascha
1929
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
Laurence Gerard / Lucille
1929
Art of Love
Chichotte de Gastoné
1928
Cafe Electric
Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
1927
His Greatest Bluff
Yvette
1927
Heads Up, Charley
Edmée Marchand
1927
The Imaginary Baron
Sophie
1927
A Modern Dubarry
Kokotte
1927
Manon Lescaut
Micheline
1926
Her Dancing Partner
Dancer (Extra)
1925
Leap Into Life
Mädchen
1924
The Countess of Paris
Lucie
1923
The Tragedy of Love
Lucy
1923
Man by the Roadside
Krämerstochter
1923
Im Schatten des Glücks
(unconfirmed)
1919