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German-born actor Elke Sommer, star of 1960s Hollywood films, dies aged 85
Developed over time first seen 2 weeks ago
German-born actor Elke Sommer, known for *A Shot in the Dark* and *The Prize*, has died aged 85. A prominent presence in 1960s Hollywood, she also worked in films across Europe and later appeared in Italian horror films.
Sommer died of heart failure at her Bel-Air home, her stepson told German newspaper Bild. She won a Golden Globe for best female newcomer for *The Prize* (1963) and played Maria Gambrelli opposite Peter Sellers in *A Shot in the Dark* (1964). Fluent in five languages, she later starred in Mario Bava’s *Baron Blood* and *Lisa and the Devil*.
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In short
- Elke Sommer has died aged 85.
- She won a Golden Globe for *The Prize*.
- Her career spanned Hollywood and European cinema.
How this story developed
- 1 week ago The latest account added that Sommer’s European film work continued after her Hollywood career waned, including roles in Baron Blood and Lisa and the Devil.
- 1 week ago Newly reported biographical details described Sommer’s journey from aspiring actress in Berlin to multilingual performer working across Europe before her Hollywood breakthrough.
- 1 week ago Further details noted that Sommer spoke five languages and also starred in Mario Bava’s Italian horror films Baron Blood and Lisa and the Devil.
- 1 week ago Elke Sommer, the German actor known for A Shot in the Dark and The Prize, has died aged 85 after suffering heart failure at her home in Bel-Air, her stepson told Bild.
Explained simply
Elke Sommer was a German-born actor whose career took her from European films to Hollywood in the 1960s. She worked in several languages and appeared in productions on both sides of the Atlantic.
Her Hollywood roles included Maria Gambrelli in the comedy A Shot in the Dark, alongside Peter Sellers, and a part in The Prize, for which she won a Golden Globe as best female newcomer. Later, as her Hollywood career waned, she appeared in Italian director Mario Bava’s horror films Baron Blood and Lisa and the Devil.
Coverage · 3 sources
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Elke Sommer, Actress in ‘A Shot in the Dark’ and ‘The Prize,’ Dies at 85”.