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
Shanghai Lily
Shanghai Express
Tana
Touch of Evil
Mrs. Bertholt
Judgment at Nuremberg
Charlotte Inwood
Stage Fright
Saloon Hostess
Around the World in Eighty Days
Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Paris When It Sizzles
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Jigsaw
Fay Duval
Manpower
Micheline
Manon Lescaut
Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
The Scarlet Empress
Baroness von Semering
Schöner Gigolo, armer Gigolo
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Cher: In Her Own Words
Marlene Dietrich
Follow the Boys
Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
Blonde Venus
Bijou
Seven Sinners
Altar Keane
Rancho Notorious
Herself (Voice)
Marlene
Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
Morocco
Christine
Witness for the Prosecution
Concha Perez
The Devil Is a Woman
Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
The Flame of New Orleans
Jamilla
Kismet
Cherry Malotte
The Spoilers
Frenchy
Destry Rides Again
Monica Teasdale
No Highway in the Sky
Self (archive footage)
Becoming Cary Grant
Erika Von Schlüetow
A Foreign Affair
Josie 'Hunky' Winters
Pittsburgh
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
Angel
Elizabeth Madden
The Lady Is Willing
Self (archive footage)
Обыкновенный фашизм
Magda / X27
Dishonored
Madeleine de Beaupré
Desire
Lily Czepanek
The Song of Songs
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
Knight Without Armour
Blanche Ferrand
Martin Roumagnac
Lydia
Golden Earrings
Stascha
Die Frau, nach der man sich sehnt
Domini Enfilden
The Garden of Allah
Maria de Crevecoeur
Montecarlo
Herself
I Wish You Love
Marlene Dietrich, “Der Blaue Engel” Screen Test
Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
Café Elektric
Laurence Gerard / Lucille
Ich küsse Ihre Hand, Madame
Ethel Marley
Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen
Self (archive footage)
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
Kokotte
Eine Dubarry von heute
Self (archive footage)
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Self (archive footage)
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored
Self (archive footage)
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright'
(archive footage)
The Great Yiddish Love
Self (archive footage)
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova
Narrator (voice)
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
(archive footage)
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
Self
The Fashion Side of Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song
(archive footage)
That's Entertainment! III
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
Yvette
Sein größter Bluff
Evelyne
Gefahren der Brautzeit
Self
Show-Business at War
Sophie
Der Juxbaron
Mädchen
Der Sprung ins Leben
Krämerstochter
Der Mensch am Wege
Self (archive footage)
Complicated Women
Lucy
Tragödie der Liebe
Lucie
Die Gräfin von Paris
Edmée Marchand
Kopf hoch, Charly!
Self
Memo for Joe
(archive footage) (uncredited)
The Film Parade
Self (archive footage)
Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
Hollywood, la vie rêvée de Lana Turner
Lola Lola
Der blaue Engel
Chichotte de Gastoné
Prinzessin Olala
(unconfirmed)
Im Schatten des Glücks
Dancer (Extra)
Der Tänzer meiner Frau
Self - Actress (archive footage)
100 Jahre UFA - Maschinenraum des deutschen Films
(archive footage)
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
(archive footage)
The Meeting of Two Queens
Self
Breakdowns of 1942
Self (archive photo)
Maria Callas: The Final Act
Self (archive footage)
Val
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
85
Gender
Female
Birthday
1901-12-27
Place of Birth
Berlin, Germany
Also Known As
Marlena Dietrichová