Marlene Dietrich
Biography
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer. Born in Berlin, Germany, on December 27, 1901, she rose to fame in the 1930s. Dietrich's career spanned film and cabaret performance, with international tours lasting decades. Known for her striking beauty, sultry voice, and androgynous style, she was a celebrated figure in classic Hollywood. Dietrich's ability to reinvent herself allowed her to transition from film star to cabaret performer. She was one of the highest paid actresses of her time, with a successful career marked by a series of successes in film and performance. Dietrich passed away on May 6, 1992, at the age of 90.
Career overview
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress who rose to fame in the 1930s. She was known for her sultry voice, striking beauty, and androgynous style. Dietrich's early career involved performing on stage and in silent films in 1920s Berlin. Her performance as Lola Lola in Josef von Sternberg's film is notable.
Dietrich's acting career was marked by a series of successes, making her the highest paid actress of her time. She appeared in films such as The Blue Angel, Shanghai Express, and Destry Rides Again. These films showcased her talent and cemented her status as a Hollywood icon.
Dietrich's career extended beyond film, as she transitioned to a celebrated cabaret performer, touring internationally for decades. Her ability to reinvent herself and defy traditional norms contributed to her enduring enigmatic persona.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
97 titles- Marilyn Monroe: The Rise of an Icon (2026) as archive footage
- Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Maria Callas: The Final Act (2024) as Self (archive photo)
- The Century of Icons (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft (2021)
- Normandie ne partira pas ce soir (2021)
- Beautiful Like a Poem (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light (2018) as (archive footage)
- Becoming Cary Grant (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- 100 Years of the UFA (2017) as Self - Actress (archive footage)
- Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Vito (2011) as Self (archive)
- Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
- Rediscovering John Gilbert (2010) as Self (archive footage)
- Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Checking Out: Grand Hotel (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright' (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Das Jahrhundert des Theaters (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- The Great Yiddish Love (2002) as (archive footage)
- Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts (2001) as Self (archive Footage)
- Sternstunde Kunst (1998) as Self (archive footage)
- Legenden (1998) as Self (archive footage)
- No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich (1996)
- The Casting Couch (1995)
- The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
- Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking (1991) as (archive footage)
- The Meeting of Two Queens (1991) as (archive footage)
- Marlene (1984) as Herself (Voice)
- Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as Self (archive footage)
- Just a Gigolo (1978) as Baroness von Semering
- I Wish You Love (1973) as Herself
- Ettan gästar: Marlene Dietrich (1971) as Interviewee, herself
- Triumph Over Violence (1965) as Self (archive footage)
- Paris When It Sizzles (1964) as Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
- Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler (1962) as Narrator (voice)
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) as Mrs. Bertholt
- Touch of Evil (1958) as Tana
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) as Christine
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Recipient
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) as Saloon Hostess
- The Monte Carlo Story (1956) as Maria de Crevecoeur
- Rancho Notorious (1952) as Altar Keane
- German Film Award (1951) as Self
- No Highway in the Sky (1951) as Monica Teasdale
- Stage Fright (1950) as Charlotte Inwood
- Jigsaw (1949) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- A Foreign Affair (1948) as Erika Von Schlüetow
- Golden Earrings (1947) as Lydia
- Martin Roumagnac (1946) as Blanche Ferrand
- Follow the Boys (1944) as Marlene Dietrich
- Kismet (1944) as Jamilla
- Show-Business at War (1943) as Self
- Breakdowns of 1942 (1942) as Self
- The Spoilers (1942) as Cherry Malotte
- Pittsburgh (1942) as Josie 'Hunky' Winters
- The Lady Is Willing (1942) as Elizabeth Madden
- The Flame of New Orleans (1941) as Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
- Manpower (1941) as Fay Duval
- Seven Sinners (1940) as Bijou
- Destry Rides Again (1939) as Frenchy
- Knight Without Armour (1937) as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
- Angel (1937) as Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
- Desire (1936) as Madeleine de Beaupré
- The Garden of Allah (1936) as Domini Enfilden
- The Devil Is a Woman (1935) as Concha Perez
- The Fashion Side of Hollywood (1935) as Self
- The Scarlet Empress (1934) as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
- The Song of Songs (1933) as Lily Czepanek
- The Film Parade (1933) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Shanghai Express (1932) as Shanghai Lily
- Blonde Venus (1932) as Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
- Dishonored (1931) as Magda / X27
- Morocco (1930) as Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
- The Blue Angel (1930) as Lola Lola
- Dangers of the Engagement Period (1930) as Evelyne
- Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test (1930)
- I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (1929) as Laurence Gerard / Lucille
- The Woman One Longs For (1929) as Stascha
- The Ship of Lost Men (1929) as Ethel Marley
- Art of Love (1928) as Chichotte de Gastoné
- His Greatest Bluff (1927) as Yvette
- A Modern Dubarry (1927) as Kokotte
- Cafe Electric (1927) as Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
- The Imaginary Baron (1927) as Sophie
- Heads Up, Charley (1927) as Edmée Marchand
- Manon Lescaut (1926) as Micheline
- Her Dancing Partner (1925) as Dancer (Extra)
- Leap Into Life (1924) as Mädchen
- The Tragedy of Love (1923) as Lucy
- The Countess of Paris (1923) as Lucie
- Man by the Roadside (1923) as Krämerstochter
- Im Schatten des Glücks (1919) as (unconfirmed)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Marlene Dietrich best known for?
Marlene Dietrich is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Marilyn Monroe: The Rise of an Icon (2026), Becoming Cary Grant (2017), Sternstunde Kunst (1998), Abducted (1986).
When and where was Marlene Dietrich born?
Marlene Dietrich was born on December 27, 1901 in Berlin, Germany. They passed away on May 6, 1992.
How many credits does Marlene Dietrich have?
Marlene Dietrich has accumulated over 97 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1923 to 2026.
What is Marlene Dietrich's background in cinema and television?
Marlene Dietrich was a German-American actress and singer. Born in Berlin, Germany, on December 27, 1901, she rose to fame in the 1930s. Dietrich's career spanned film and cabaret performance, with international tours lasting decades. Known for her striking beauty, sultry voice, and androgynous style, she was a celebra...
Marlene Dietrich by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Witness for the Prosecution (1957) as Christine — aged about 55
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) as Mrs. Bertholt — aged about 59
- Touch of Evil (1958) as Tana — aged about 56
- The Blue Angel (1930) as Lola Lola — aged about 28
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage) — aged about 92
- No Highway in the Sky (1951) as Monica Teasdale — aged about 49
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