(Dec. 27, 1901 - May 06, 1992) Marlene Dietrich was a German-born actress, entertainer and singer. Her most lasting contribution to film history was as the star in several films directed by von Sternberg in the pre-Code early 1930s, such as The Scarlet Empress and Shanghai Express, in which she played "femmes fatale". Marlene Dietrich was a fashion icon to the top designers as well as a screen icon whom later stars would follow.