Biography
Fled East Germany in 1960 to live in Stuttgart and work as an electronics engineer. Soon after, she entered a beauty contest on a whim and ended up winning the title of Miss Germany. That led to being crowned Miss Universe in 1961. She married actor Ty Hardin in 1962, but the marriage only lasted 3 years. In 1969, she married Iraqi-born filmmaker Howard Avedis. Their partnership resulted in numerous drive-in hits and cult classics, including The Stepmother (1972), The Teacher (1974) and Mortuary (1983). Marlene always produced, sometimes wrote and usually appeared in supporting roles in these productions.
Acted in 14
1980s
- 1988
Kidnapped
Secretary
- 1984
- 1982
- 1981
Separate Ways
Pat Ingram
1970s
- 1978
Texas Detour
Lady Bartender
- 1976
- 1975
Dr. Minx
Harriet Thomas
The Specialist
Elizabeth Bounds
- 1974
- 1972
The Stepmother
Sonya Hill
1960s
- 1968
The Red Plain
Betty
Destiny
Afsaneh
Produced 12
2000s
- 2004
1980s
- 1988
Kidnapped
Producer
- 1984
- 1982
- 1981
Separate Ways
Executive Producer
1970s
- 1978
Texas Detour
Executive Producer
- 1976
- 1975
The Specialist
Executive Producer
- 1974
- 1972
The Stepmother
Associate Producer
1960s
- 1968
Destiny
Producer
Wrote 5
1980s
- 1984
- 1982
- 1981
Separate Ways
Story
1970s
- 1978
- 1975
The Specialist
Screenplay