Red-haired, husky-voiced and sharp-featured German character actress, a preeminent figure on stage and screen from the 1930's to the 60's. Often found in cold or haughty roles, as incisive, manipulating or downright sinister characters. She made her theatrical debut in Hamburg in 1931 and appeared from 1937 to 1945 at the Deutsches Theater and the Staatstheater in Berlin. Though she acted in many films, the stage was her first love. She received several high honours late in life, being awarded a Bambi in 1967 and the Bundesverdienstkreuz for services to German culture in 1975.