Elke Sommer, Popular Hollywood Actress Of The 1960s, Dies At 85
Actress Elke Sommer, who rose to prominence in Hollywood during the 1960s and shared the screen with some of the biggest names in cinema, has died aged 85. The German-born star was admired for her glamorous appearance and performances in comedy and crime movies that made her a recognisable figure of the era.
Sommer passed away at her Bel Air residence in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Her stepson, Sebastian Walther, confirmed her death to German publication Bild.
The Los Angeles Police Department separately told The Associated Press that officers had attended the death of an 85-year-old woman in the same neighbourhood on Wednesday night.
Early Life And An Unexpected Entry Into Acting
Born Elke Schletz in Berlin on November 5, 1940, Sommer grew up during the Second World War. In 1942, her family moved to southern Germany. Her father, who worked as a Protestant pastor, died when she was only 14.
Despite eventually building a career in films, Sommer had initially imagined a different future for herself. She was keen to study languages and had no immediate plans to become an actress.
Her career took an unexpected turn during a visit to Italy in 1958 with her mother, Renata. Someone from the Italian film industry noticed her during the trip and offered her a part in a movie.
The offer became her first break in cinema, leading to her debut in The Friend of the Jaguar and opening the door to a career that would later take her to Hollywood.
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