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

• 2026Marilyn Monroe: The Rise of an Icon — archive footage
• 1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year
• 2021Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft
• 2018Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light — (archive footage)
• 2010Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff — Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)
• 2002The Great Yiddish Love — (archive footage)
• Storyville
• 1996No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich
• 1995The Casting Couch
• 1994That's Entertainment! III — (archive footage) (uncredited)
• 1991Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking — (archive footage)
• 1991The Meeting of Two Queens — (archive footage)
• 1978Just a Gigolo — Baroness von Semering
• The South Bank Show
• 1971Ettan gästar: Marlene Dietrich — Interviewee, herself
• 1964Paris When It Sizzles — Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)
• 1963Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
• 1962Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler — Narrator (voice)
• 1961Judgment at Nuremberg — Mrs. Bertholt
• 1958Touch of Evil — Tana
• 1957Witness for the Prosecution — Christine
• 1956Around the World in 80 Days — Saloon Hostess
• 1956The Monte Carlo Story — Maria de Crevecoeur
• 1952Rancho Notorious — Altar Keane
• 1951No Highway in the Sky — Monica Teasdale
• 1950Stage Fright — Charlotte Inwood
• 1949Jigsaw — Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• 1948A Foreign Affair — Erika Von Schlüetow
• 1947Golden Earrings — Lydia
• 1946Martin Roumagnac — Blanche Ferrand
• 1944Follow the Boys — Marlene Dietrich
• 1944Kismet — Jamilla
• 1942Pittsburgh — Josie 'Hunky' Winters
• 1942The Lady Is Willing — Elizabeth Madden
• 1942The Spoilers — Cherry Malotte
• 1941Manpower — Fay Duval
• 1941The Flame of New Orleans — Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili
• 1940Seven Sinners — Bijou
• 1939Destry Rides Again — Frenchy
• 1937Angel — Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel
• 1937Knight Without Armour — Countess Alexandra Vladinoff
• 1936Desire — Madeleine de Beaupré
• 1936The Garden of Allah — Domini Enfilden
• 1935The Devil Is a Woman — Concha Perez
• 1934The Scarlet Empress — Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
• 1933The Film Parade — (archive footage) (uncredited)
• 1933The Song of Songs — Lily Czepanek
• 1932Blonde Venus — Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones
• 1932Shanghai Express — Shanghai Lily
• 1931Dishonored — Magda / X27
• 1930Dangers of the Engagement Period — Evelyne
• 1930Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test
• 1930Morocco — Mademoiselle Amy Jolly
• 1930The Blue Angel — Lola Lola
• 1929I Kiss Your Hand, Madame — Laurence Gerard / Lucille
• 1929The Ship of Lost Men — Ethel Marley
• 1929The Woman One Longs For — Stascha
• 1928Art of Love — Chichotte de Gastoné
• 1927A Modern Dubarry — Kokotte
• 1927Cafe Electric — Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen
• 1927Heads Up, Charley — Edmée Marchand
• 1927His Greatest Bluff — Yvette
• 1927The Imaginary Baron — Sophie
• 1926Manon Lescaut — Micheline
• 1925Her Dancing Partner — Dancer (Extra)
• 1924Leap Into Life — Mädchen
• 1923Man by the Roadside — Krämerstochter
• 1923The Countess of Paris — Lucie
• 1923The Tragedy of Love — Lucy
• 1919Im Schatten des Glücks — (unconfirmed)

Appearances as themselves (32)

• 2025Erich Maria Remarque und Marlene Dietrich - Flucht in die Liebe — Self (archive footage)
• The Century of Icons — Self (archive footage)
• 2020Beautiful Like a Poem — Self (archive footage)
• 2017100 Years of the UFA — Self - Actress (archive footage)
• 2017Becoming Cary Grant — Self (archive footage)
• 2013Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored — Self (archive footage)
• 2011Vito — Self (archive footage)
• 2010Rediscovering John Gilbert — Self (archive footage)
• 2008ZEITENBLICKE- Jetzt ist Hallstatt Zeit — Herself
• 2007Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema — Self (archive footage)
• 2006Stardust: The Bette Davis Story — Self (archive footage)
• 2005Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova — Self (archive footage)
• 2004Checking Out: Grand Hotel — Self (archive footage)
• 2004Hitchcock and 'Stage Fright' — Self (archive footage)
• 2003Complicated Women — Self (archive footage)
• Das Jahrhundert des Theaters — Self (archive footage)
• 2002Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song — Self (archive footage)
• Das Jahrhundert des Kabaretts — Self (archive Footage)
• Legenden — Self (archive footage)
• Sternstunde Kunst — Self (archive footage)
• 1995The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies — Self (archive footage)
• 1987Eve and Marilyn — Self (archive photos)
• 1984Going Hollywood: The '30s — Self (archive footage)
• 1984Marlene — Herself (Voice)
• 1973I Wish You Love — Herself
• 1965Triumph Over Violence — Self (archive footage)
• Tony Awards — Self - Recipient
• German Film Award — Self
• 1943Show-Business at War — Self
• 1942Breakdowns of 1942 — Self
• 1935The Fashion Side of Hollywood — Self
• Marlene Dietrich: Home Movies — Herself