Marlene Dietrich
Born
December 27, 1901 (age 90)
Died
May 6, 1992
Birthplace
Berlin, Germany

Marlene Dietrich

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.

Movies

Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
2021 ★ 7.0
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light
2018
(archive footage)
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
2010 ★ 6.6
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
The Great Yiddish Love
The Great Yiddish Love
2002
(archive footage)
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
1996 ★ 6.0
That's Entertainment! III
That's Entertainment! III
1994 ★ 7.0
(archive footage)
The Meeting of Two Queens
The Meeting of Two Queens
1991
(archive footage)
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking
1991 ★ 4.0
(archive footage)
Just a Gigolo
Just a Gigolo
1978 ★ 4.9
Baroness von Semering
Paris When It Sizzles
Paris When It Sizzles
1964 ★ 6.3
Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler
1962 ★ 6.2
Narrator (voice)
Judgment at Nuremberg
Judgment at Nuremberg
1961 ★ 8.0
Mrs. Bertholt
Touch of Evil
Touch of Evil
1958 ★ 7.8
Tana
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution
1957 ★ 8.2
Christine
The Monte Carlo Story
The Monte Carlo Story
1956 ★ 5.6
Maria de Crevecoeur
Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days
1956 ★ 6.6
Saloon Hostess
Rancho Notorious
Rancho Notorious
1952 ★ 6.5
Altar Keane
No Highway in the Sky
No Highway in the Sky
1951 ★ 7.0
Monica Teasdale
Stage Fright
Stage Fright
1950 ★ 6.8
Charlotte Inwood
Jigsaw
Jigsaw
1949 ★ 4.8
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
A Foreign Affair
A Foreign Affair
1948 ★ 7.1
Erika Von Schlüetow
Golden Earrings
Golden Earrings
1947 ★ 5.9
Lydia
Martin Roumagnac
Martin Roumagnac
1946 ★ 6.6
Blanche Ferrand
Kismet
Kismet
1944 ★ 5.2
Jamilla
Follow the Boys
Follow the Boys
1944 ★ 5.3
Marlene Dietrich
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
1942 ★ 6.2
Josie 'Hunky' Winters
The Spoilers
The Spoilers
1942 ★ 6.2
Cherry Malotte
The Lady Is Willing
The Lady Is Willing
1942 ★ 6.4
Elizabeth Madden
Manpower
Manpower
1941 ★ 6.7
Fay Duval
The Flame of New Orleans
The Flame of New Orleans
1941 ★ 6.4
Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
Seven Sinners
Seven Sinners
1940 ★ 5.8
Bijou
Destry Rides Again
Destry Rides Again
1939 ★ 7.2
Frenchy
Angel
Angel
1937 ★ 6.7
Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
Knight Without Armour
Knight Without Armour
1937 ★ 5.6
Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
The Garden of Allah
The Garden of Allah
1936 ★ 5.8
Domini Enfilden
Desire
Desire
1936 ★ 6.9
Madeleine de Beaupré
The Devil Is a Woman
The Devil Is a Woman
1935 ★ 6.2
Concha Perez
The Scarlet Empress
The Scarlet Empress
1934 ★ 6.8
Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
The Song of Songs
The Song of Songs
1933 ★ 5.9
Lily Czepanek
The Film Parade
The Film Parade
1933
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Blonde Venus
Blonde Venus
1932 ★ 6.8
Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
Shanghai Express
Shanghai Express
1932 ★ 6.9
Shanghai Lily
Dishonored
Dishonored
1931 ★ 6.8
Magda / X27
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
1930 ★ 6.2
Morocco
Morocco
1930 ★ 6.3
Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
The Blue Angel
The Blue Angel
1930 ★ 7.3
Lola Lola
Dangers of the Engagement
Dangers of the Engagement
1930 ★ 5.8
Evelyne
The Ship of Lost Men
The Ship of Lost Men
1929 ★ 4.9
Ethel Marley
The Woman One Longs For
The Woman One Longs For
1929 ★ 5.5
Stascha
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame
1929 ★ 5.7
Laurence Gerard / Lucille
Art of Love
Art of Love
1928
Chichotte de Gastoné
Cafe Electric
Cafe Electric
1927 ★ 7.1
Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
His Greatest Bluff
His Greatest Bluff
1927
Yvette
Heads Up, Charley
Heads Up, Charley
1927
Edmée Marchand
The Imaginary Baron
The Imaginary Baron
1927
Sophie
A Modern Dubarry
A Modern Dubarry
1927
Kokotte
Manon Lescaut
Manon Lescaut
1926 ★ 5.3
Micheline
Her Dancing Partner
Her Dancing Partner
1925
Dancer (Extra)
Leap Into Life
Leap Into Life
1924
Mädchen
The Countess of Paris
The Countess of Paris
1923
Lucie
The Tragedy of Love
The Tragedy of Love
1923
Lucy
Man by the Roadside
Man by the Roadside
1923
Krämerstochter
Im Schatten des Glücks
Im Schatten des Glücks
1919
(unconfirmed)