Elke Sommer is a stunning Teutonic temptress who captured the hearts of American audiences in the 1960s. Born Elke Schletzin in Berlin-Spandau, Germany, on November 5, 1940, she was introduced to watercolors at a young age and developed a lifelong passion for painting. After her father's death in 1955, she relocated to Great Britain, where she learned English and became an au pair.
Elke's career in modeling and acting began after winning a beauty title in Italy, which caught the attention of renowned film actor and director Vittorio De Sica. She made her screen debut in the Italian feature "Uomini e nobiluomini" (1959) and went on to appear in several Italian and German films, eventually becoming a European sex symbol.
Elke's breakthrough in Hollywood came with her starring roles in "The Victors" (1963),"The Prize" (1963),and "A Shot in the Dark" (1964). She won a "Best Newcomer" Golden Globe Award for her performance in "The Prize" and proved to be a charming and sexy foil to Peter Sellers in "A Shot in the Dark".
Throughout the 1960s, Elke continued to appear in a range of films, including war-themed dramas, thrillers, and comedies. She posed for spreads in Playboy Magazine and appeared opposite some of Hollywood's most popular actors, including Paul Newman, James Garner, Glenn Ford, and Stephen Boyd.
However, Elke's career began to decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with a string of low-budget films and a few misfires. She continued to act in Europe, appearing in low-budget features and cult classics, including "Baron Blood" (1972) and "Lisa and the Devil" (1973).
Elke also had a successful career in television, appearing in several miniseries and guest-starring on popular shows such as "Fantasy Island", "The Love Boat", and "St. Elsewhere". She continued to act in films and television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Lily in Love" (1984),"Severed Ties" (1992),and "Himmelsheim" (1988).
In recent years, Elke has focused more on her art career, hosting a one-woman art show at the McKenzie Galleries in Beverly Hills in 1965 and exhibiting her work on PBS. She has been married to hotelier Wolf Walther since 1993 and has continued to act in films and television, often in her native Germany.
