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.
Filmography
Cast Credits
Kidnapped
Character: Secretary
MOVIE • 1988
They're Playing with Fire
Character: Gas Station Customer
MOVIE • 1984
Mortuary
Character: Lois Stevens
MOVIE • 1982
Separate Ways
Character: Pat Ingram
MOVIE • 1981
The Fifth Floor
Character: Night Nurse
MOVIE • 1978
Texas Detour
Character: Lady Bartender
MOVIE • 1978
Dr. Minx
Character: Harriet Thomas
MOVIE • 1975
The Teacher
Character: Alice Roberts
MOVIE • 1974
The Stepmother
Character: Sonja Hill
MOVIE • 1972
Farewell, Lebanon
Character:
MOVIE • 1968
The Red Plain
Character:
MOVIE • 1968
Destiny
Character:
MOVIE • 1968
Crew
Crew Credits
Shoebox Zoo
Role: Line Producer
TV • 2004
Kidnapped
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 1988
They're Playing with Fire
Role: Writer
MOVIE • 1984
They're Playing with Fire
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 1984
Mortuary
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 1982
Mortuary
Role: Writer
MOVIE • 1982
Separate Ways
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 1981
Separate Ways
Role: Story
MOVIE • 1981
The Fifth Floor
Role: Story
MOVIE • 1978
The Fifth Floor
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 1978
Texas Detour
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 1978
Scorchy
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 1976
The Specialist
Role: Screenplay
MOVIE • 1975
The Specialist
Role: Executive Producer
MOVIE • 1975
The Teacher
Role: Associate Producer
MOVIE • 1974
The Stepmother
Role: Associate Producer
MOVIE • 1972
Destiny
Role: Producer
MOVIE • 1968