German actresses who deceased in 2001
Here are 4 famous actresses from Germany died in 2001:
Kristina Söderbaum
Kristina Söderbaum (September 5, 1912 Stockholm-February 12, 2001 Hitzacker) a.k.a. Kristina Soderbaum, Beata Margareta Kristina Söderbaum, Reichswasserleiche, Blond Ambition, Blonde Bitch of Goebbels or The Queen of UFA was a German photographer and actor.
Söderbaum began her acting career in the early 1930s and quickly rose to fame in Nazi Germany, starring in numerous propaganda films produced by the state-controlled UFA studios. She became closely associated with Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, and the pair began a romantic relationship that lasted until the end of the war.
Despite her success in Nazi-era films, Söderbaum's career quickly faltered after the war. She was initially blacklisted by the Allied authorities and struggled to find work in the film industry. She attempted to revive her career in the 1950s but was largely unsuccessful, and ultimately retired from acting in the 1960s.
In her later years, Söderbaum focused on her photography, exhibiting her work in galleries across Europe. She was also a prolific writer, publishing several books about her life and career in the film industry. Despite her controversial past, Söderbaum is remembered as an important figure in German cinema, and her work continues to be studied and discussed by scholars and film enthusiasts today.
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Ruth Hellberg
Ruth Hellberg (November 2, 1906 Berlin-April 26, 2001 Feldafing) also known as Ruth Holl was a German actor and voice actor.
Hellberg was born in Berlin in 1906 and began her acting career on stage in the 1920s. She later transitioned to film and made her debut in the 1932 movie "Man braucht kein Geld". She appeared in more than 70 films during her career, including the 1945 film "Kolberg", which was the last film made in Nazi Germany.
After World War II, Hellberg continued her acting career in West Germany and also worked as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films into German. She was particularly known for her work as the voice of French actress Simone Signoret in German-language versions of her films.
Hellberg received several awards for her work in film and theater, including the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. She passed away in 2001 at the age of 94 in Feldafing, Germany.
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Helen Vita
Helen Vita (August 7, 1928 Hohenschwangau-February 16, 2001 Berlin) otherwise known as Helene Elisabeth Reichel, Helene Vita, Helen Vita Elizabeth Reichel or Helen Vita Elizabeth Reichel Baumgartner was a German actor, singer and comedian.
Over her long career, Helen Vita became a well-known figure in the German entertainment industry, thanks to her immense talent and versatility. She began performing at a young age and acted in various stage productions before transitioning to film and television. Some of her most notable acting credits include the films The Threepenny Opera (1963), The Swissmakers (1978) and The Captain (1991), and the television series Familie Heinz Becker (1992-1999).
In addition to her work as an actor, Helen Vita was also an accomplished singer and cabaret artist. She recorded numerous albums throughout her career, with her most famous work being a rendition of the song "Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt" (I am completely set on love), which was featured in the classic film Cabaret (1972) starring Liza Minnelli. Her live performances were also celebrated for their wit, energy, and provocative themes.
Despite her success, Helen Vita also faced numerous challenges in her personal life, including financial difficulties and struggles with alcoholism. Nevertheless, she remained a beloved figure in German popular culture, and her contributions to the entertainment industry continue to be remembered and celebrated to this day.
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Irene von Meyendorff
Irene von Meyendorff (June 6, 1916 Tallinn-September 28, 2001 London) also known as Irene Isabella Margarethe Paulina Caecilia Freiin von Meyendorff, Irene Von Meyendorff, Baroness Irene Isabella Margarete Pauline Caecila von Meyendorff, Irene v. Meyendorff or Irina was a German actor. She had one child, Andreas Zahler.
Irene von Meyendorff began her acting career in 1935 with the movie "Liebelei" directed by Max Ophüls. She gained critical acclaim for her performance and went on to act in several other notable films. During World War II, Meyendorff lived in Estonia and continued to act in various German films. After the war, she moved to Hollywood and appeared in films including The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry and The Young Lions.
Meyendorff was also a talented writer and authored several novels and short stories. Some of her notable works include "The Big Game," "Behind the Scenes," and "The Hostess."
Later in life, Meyendorff suffered from Parkinson's disease and retired from acting. She spent her final years in London where she passed away in 2001.
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