RIP Elke Sommer

 

Golden Globe winner and international sex symbol Elke Sommer, who was known for her on-screen affair with Jacques Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” franchise, died of heart failure died on October 28^th at her Bel Air, California home, one week before her 86th birthday. Her death comes three months after her husband of 32 years Wolf Walther lost his battle with cancer. Born Elke Schletz in Berlin, Germany on November 5, 1940. Originally, she wanted to become an interpreter and could speak six languages by the time she was in her teens. However, her acting break would come after she won the Italian beauty contest Miss Viareggio age 17 while she was on vacation in the Mediterranean country in 1958. She was spotted by the Italian director Vittorio De Sica before starring in Italian comedies, one of which was entitled “Men and Noblemen.” Sommer starred in several Italian and German movies in the early 1960s before landing a role in the Mark Robson-directed movie “The Prize” – which starred Paul Newman and Edward G. Robinson. She received a Golden Globe in 1964 where she was named Most Promising Newcomer. But one of the actress’ most recognizable acting roles came in the 1964 comedy flick “A Shot in the Dark”, the second installment of the “Pink Panther” film franchise. Sommer was also known for her roles in the Russell Rouse-directed movie “The Oscar” and the 1968 movie “The Wrecking Crew” – the latter featuring the “King of Cool” Dean Martin. Away from the screen she was an accomplished artist. Sommer was married twice. She tied the knot to famed Hollywood columnist Joe Hyams in 1964, before they divorced in 1981. She met Wolf Walther, who would later become her husband of 32 years, in 1989 while she was being cast for the play “Tamara.” Sommer appeared in one Euro-western “Unter Geiern” (Frontier Hellcat) as Annie Dillman in 1964.