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.
Filmography
all 114
Movies 108
self 46
TV Shows 6
Voice 1
Maria Callas: The Final Act (2024)
The Century of Icons (2022)
Val (2021)
Cher: In Her Own Words (2021)
Hollywood, The Dream Life of Lana Turner (2019)
Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light (2018)
100 Years of the UFA (2017)
Becoming Cary Grant (2017)
Dietrich, Garbo, l'ange et la divine (2015)
Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words (2013)
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored (2013)
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010)
Cinema's Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood (2009)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007)
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova (2005)
Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright' (2004)
Checking Out: Grand Hotel (2004)
Complicated Women (2003)
Falling in Love Again (2003)
Das Jahrhundert des Theaters (2002)
Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2002)
The Great Yiddish Love (2002)
Legenden (1998)
That's Entertainment! III (1994)
Cyndi Lauper: 12 Deadly Cyns... and Then Some (1994)
The Meeting of Two Queens (1991)
Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking (1991)
Marlene (1984)
Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984)
Just a Gigolo (1978)
I Wish You Love (1973)
Triumph Over Violence (1965)
Paris When It Sizzles (1964)
Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler (1962)
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
The Monte Carlo Story (1956)
Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
Tony Awards (1956)
Rancho Notorious (1952)
No Highway in the Sky (1951)
Stage Fright (1950)
Jigsaw (1949)
A Foreign Affair (1948)
Martin Roumagnac (1946)
Kismet (1944)
Follow the Boys (1944)
Pittsburgh (1942)
The Spoilers (1942)
The Lady Is Willing (1942)
Manpower (1941)
The Flame of New Orleans (1941)
Angel (1937)
Knight Without Armour (1937)
The Garden of Allah (1936)
Desire (1936)
The Devil Is a Woman (1935)
The Scarlet Empress (1934)
The Song of Songs (1933)
The Film Parade (1933)
Blonde Venus (1932)
Shanghai Express (1932)
Dishonored (1931)
Morocco (1930)
The Blue Angel (1930)
The Ship of Lost Men (1929)
I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (1929)
Art of Love (1928)
Cafe Electric (1927)
Heads Up, Charley (1927)
A Modern Dubarry (1927)
Manon Lescaut (1926)
Her Dancing Partner (1925)
Leap Into Life (1924)
The Little Napoleon (1923)
Man by the Roadside (1923)
Im Schatten des Glücks (1919)
Gallery
Information
Known For
Acting
Gender
Female
Birthday
1901-12-27
Deathday
1992-05-06 (90 years old)
Birth Name
Marie Magdalene Dietrich
Birth Place
Rote Insel,
Height
168-centimeter
Relationships
Rudolf Sieber (1923 - 1976)
Children
Maria Riva
Father
Louis Erich Otto Dietrich
Mother
Wilhelmina Elisabeth Joséphine Felsing
Relatives
Georg Hugo Will
Citizenships
Weimar Republic, Nazi , German Reich, United States, German Empire
Also Known As
Marlena Dietrichová , მარლენ დიტრიხი, Marie Magdalene Dietrich , 玛琳·黛德丽, Marie Magdalene von Losch
Awards
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Knight of the National Order of Merit, Knight of the Legion of Honour, CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, Medal of Freedom, German Film Awards/honorary award, AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars, star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, honorary citizen of Berlin, Knight of the Order of Leopold, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Officer of the Legion of Honour
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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Marlene Dietrich
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