Actress. At age 16 she attended “die Staatliche Schauspielschule” (National Acting School) in Berlin. Her first stage role was in the play “Die Ratten” in Darmstadt in 1932. Spotted by director Joe May (see his memorial on this website), he hired her for the film “Das erste Recht des Kindes,” her film debut, but the three-year contract was terminated prematurely when he emigrated to the USA. She continued her career with movies such as “Ganovenehre,” “Hitlerjunge Quex” and “Nur nicht weich werden, Susanne!” Her breakthrough was a role as Edeltraut Panse in “Krach im Hinterhaus” in Berlin in 1936, which established her as the typical Berliner in films. More movies followed: “Kirschen in Nachbars Garten,” “Reisebekanntschaften” and her greatest achievement, her ninth film “Das Veilchen vom Potsdamer Platz” in 1936. During World War II she toured Wehrmacht (German military) installations and had stage roles; a filming prohibition limited her appearances. After WWII, She resumed her career at the Renaissance Theater und at Theater am Schiffbauerdamm and was a convincing character actress as Luca in the play “Helden.” In 1947 her only post-war movie, “Wozzek,” was completed before she died prematurely at age 32. (bio by: Fred Beisser) Cause of death: Complications related to appendectomy.