Knef, Hildegard (1925–2002)

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Knef, Hildegard (1925–2002)

German-born actress, author, and singer. Name variations: name spelled "Neff" during film career. Born Hildegard Frieda Albertina Knef, Dec 28, 1925, in Ulm, Germany; died Feb 1, 2002, in Berlin; trained at German Film Studio UFA; m. Kurt Hirsch (div.); m. David Cameron; m. Peter Rudolph Schell, 1977; children: (2nd m.) Christina Cameron.

Appeared in German propaganda films (1945); acted on stage in 1st German postwar stage productions at the Schlossparktheater, Berlin (1945); appeared in 1st German postwar film, The Murderers among Us (1946); auditioned in Hollywood (1947) and began to build an international stage and film career; became major German film star with role in The Sinner (1950); played the female lead on Broadway in Cole Porter's Silk Stockings (1955–56); sang role of Jenny in German film of The Three Penny Opera (1962); began new career as a nightclub singer (1963); wrote the celebrated The Gift Horse: Report on a Life (1971); also wrote The Verdict (1975). Won Bundesfilmpreis (1959, 1977); given Edison Prize (1972); won Karlsbad Film Festival prize for Best Actress (1976) and the Golden Tulip award at Amsterdam Film Festival (1981).

See also Women in World History.