Elke Sommer, born Elke von Schletz, is a renowned German actress, entertainer, and artist who has made a lasting impact in the Hollywood film industry. Her journey began in 1958 when she was spotted by film director Vittorio De Sica while on holiday in Italy, leading to her debut in films there. That same year, she changed her surname from Schletz to Sommer, making it easier for non-German audiences to pronounce.
As her career progressed, Sommer became a noted sex symbol and a popular pin-up girl, gracing the covers of several pictorials in Playboy magazine, including the September 1964 and December 1967 issues. Her impressive filmography boasts over 90 film and television appearances between 1959 and 2005, featuring notable titles such as A Shot in the Dark with Peter Sellers, The Art of Love with James Garner and Dick Van Dyke, The Oscar with Stephen Boyd, Boy Did I Get a Wrong Number! with Bob Hope, and The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz.
In 1964, Sommer won a Golden Globe award as Most Promising Newcomer Actress for her role in The Prize, a film that co-starred Paul Newman and Edward G. Robinson. Her extensive television credits include appearances on The Dean Martin Show, Bob Hope specials, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and the Hollywood Squares game show, where she was a frequent panelist between 1973 and 1980.
Throughout the 1970s, Sommer continued to make a mark in the film industry, starring in thrillers like Zeppelin alongside Michael York and the Agatha Christie adaptation Ten Little Indians. She also ventured into Italian horror films, starring in Baron Blood and Lisa and the Devil, which was later re-edited to create House of Exorcism.
In 1975, Sommer took on the role of Russian Professor Vrooshka in the British comedy Carry On Behind, earning her the title of the film's joint highest-paid performer alongside Phil Silvers. After the 1979 comedy The Prisoner of Zenda, which reunited her with Sellers, Sommer largely shifted her focus to her artwork, although she did provide the voice for Yzma in the German release of The Emperor's New Groove.
In addition to her acting career, Sommer is also a talented singer, having recorded and released several albums. With a career spanning over five decades, Sommer has solidified her position as a Hollywood legend, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
