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[CULTURE] · United States, Germany · 91 sources

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Elke Sommer, German-born Hollywood star, dies at 85

German-born actress Elke Sommer has died at the age of 85 at her home in Bel Air, Los Angeles. Her death, reported on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, was attributed to heart failure, according to her stepson, Sebastian Walther.

Sommer, born Elke Schletz in Berlin in 1940, rose to international fame in the 1960s as a prominent figure in Hollywood comedies and espionage films. She achieved significant success after being discovered in Italy, eventually winning a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1964 for her role in “The Prize” alongside Paul Newman.

Her notable filmography includes appearances in the “Pink Panther” franchise, specifically “A Shot in the Dark” with Peter Sellers, as well as “The Wrecking Crew” and “The Art of Love.” Throughout her career, she worked with major stars such as Dean Martin, James Garner, and Dick Van Dyke. Sommer passed away only a few months after the death of her husband, Wolf Walther, who died in July 2026.

Entities

Bel Air · Elke Sommer · Golden Globe Awards · Hollywood · Paul Newman · Peter Sellers · Vittorio De Sica · Wolf Walther

Sources

Détail d'article [www.dhnet.be]
Elke Sommer (1940-2026) [cinemagia.wordpress.com]