| Birth: | Dec. 27, 1901 | | Death: | May 6, 1992 | 
Actress, Singer. She appeared in over 70 films from 1914 to movies made after her death in 1992. Her acting style was so famous that she was spoofed by Madeline Kahn in the comedic film "Blazing Saddles". Born just outside Berlin, Germany, her father was a police lieutenant (other biographies state he was an Army officer), and she was noted for her "bedroom eyes" early, including an affair with a professor that resulted in his dismissal from school. In 1920 she entered Germany's cabaret scene as a singer, and she married Rudolf "Rudy" Sieber in 1924, a marriage which lasted until her husband's death in 1979; they had one child, a daughter, Maria Riva. In 1930, she captured the lead role of a cabaret singer in "The Blue Angel", which proved to be her breakthrough film. She went immediately to Hollywood, and a series of successful films continued with her becoming the highest paid actress of the time. Most of these films required her to play a prostitute or woman with low morals, and she yearned to make films playing more positive roles. However, in the late 1930s her films became popular failures, and she made a remarkable comeback in the 1939 film, "Destry Rides Again" with Jimmy Stewart, where she again was cast as a Saloon hostess. Strongly anti-Nazi, she became an American citizen (in 1937), entertained American troops, and campaigned for War Bonds during World War II. In 1947, she received the Medal of Freedom for her strong stand against Nazism and for supporting American troops; France made her a Chevalier of the Legion. Her last film role of substance was in the 1961 film, "Judgment at Nuremberg." She later performed in Las Vegas, Broadway, and in touring theatricals. She had numerous affairs, including one with John F. Kennedy, which despite public knowledge, did not become scandals. She spent the last 13 years of her life withdrawn from public life in her apartment in Paris, France. (bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson)
Search Amazon for Marlene Dietrich | | | Burial:
Berlin-Schöneberg (Friedhof Schöneberg III)
Friedenau (Berlin)
Berlin, Germany |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Jan 01, 2001
Find A Grave Memorial# 1991 |
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