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