Marlene Dietrich

Arguably one of the most beautiful women ever to grace the silver screen, actress Marlene Dietrich utilized her cat-shaped eyes, high cheekbones, and halo of blonde curls to capture the imagination of fans both male and female. At once alluring and sexy, Dietrich projected a forward-thinking androgyny by casting off societal mores and sometimes dressing as man, wearing trousers, vests and ties. She received her start in her native Germany working as a chorus girl and later performer in silent films, where she caught the attention of director Josef von Sternberg. It was von Sternberg who introduced Dietrich to America in "Morocco" (1930), a bold debut that featured the actress dressed in a man's tuxedo and kissing another woman. She went on to star in a number of hit movies with von Sternberg, including "Shanghai Express" (1932) and "The Scarlett Empress" (1934), before the two broke off their professional and personal relationship. She also became actively involved in selling war bonds and performing for the troops during World War II. Dietrich's film career wound down in the 1950s following noted performances in "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957), "Touch of Evil" (1958) and "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961). During this time, she found second life as a stage performer who sold out houses the world over. But a series of injuries suffered in the mid-1970s forced her retirement. Though she remained in seclusion for the rest of her days, Dietrich left behind a legacy as an alluring screen goddess whose sensual, yet mysterious persona embodied the true definition of movie star.