Daughter of a forest ranger, initially trained as a ballet dancer. Subsequently studied acting at Babelsberg film school. Discovered for the screen by the producer Erich Pommer and signed to a contract with Ufa. Had a brief stint in Hollywood from 1930 (often in German-speaking versions of American films) and later also played leads in France for Jean Vigo and Jean Renoir. Went into semi-retirement after World War II, seen just twice more on screen.