Famous German Dancers

Pina Bausch was a German dancer remembered for her contribution to a neo-expressionist dance style which came to be known as the German Tanztheater. Bausch was also a choreographer and is credited with establishing the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Bausch's works had a major influence on celebrities like David Bowie. She won many prestigious awards, including the Europe Theatre Prize.

German painter and sculptor Oskar Schlemmer had gained fame both for his paintings and for his choreographed avant-garde ballet productions such as Triadisches Ballett. He was a major influence behind bringing modern art exhibitions to the Stuttgart Academy of Fine Art. He had also served in World War I.

Empress Schuck is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, model, and fashion designer. Empress is best known for her work as a child actor. In 2003, she was named the Best Child Actress at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards for her portrayal of Sandy del Rosario in her debut film 9 Mornings at the age of nine.

Anita Berber was a German dancer, writer, and actress. Berber's addiction to drugs and her choice of clothing in public events, which challenged social taboos at that time, overshadowed her professional achievements. In addition to her personal life, Anita Berber also achieved notoriety as a dancer; some of her performances featured total nudity. She died of tuberculosis at age 29.

Ellen Kessler is one-half of the popular Kessler Twins. Ellen and her twin sister Alice Kessler are among the well-known twin entertainers in Europe. After achieving popularity as dancers and actors, the Kessler Twins appeared on the cover of one of the editions of Playboy, at the age of 40. That edition became the fastest-selling Playboy in Italy.

Mary Wigman was a German dancer best remembered for pioneering dance therapy and expressionist dance. Also a choreographer, Wigman is also credited with pioneering movement training sans pointe shoes. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent personalities in modern dance history, Mary Wigman is also considered an iconic figure of Weimar German culture.

Franz Rogowski is a German dancer and actor best known for his portrayal of Georg in the 2018 German drama film Transit. Apart from earning Rogowski a Florida Film Critics Circle Award nomination, the film was also listed by Barack Obama as one of his favorite movies of 2019. Rogowski has won many prestigious awards like the German Film Award.

Rebecca Horn is a German visual artist best known for her body art, film directing, and installation art. Horn achieved popularity for her body sculptures where she attaches instruments and objects to the human body in order to create art. In 1992, Rebecca Horn received the Goslarer Kaiserring award, becoming the first woman to win the prestigious award.

Laya Raki was a German dancer and actress who achieved international recognition for her work in the British film and TV industry. Raki became famous in the 1950s and 1960s for her dancing skills and attractive hourglass figure. She then established herself in the British entertainment industry by appearing in series like Crane.

Friedemann Vogel is a German ballet dancer best known for his association with the Stuttgart Ballet where he performs as a principal dancer. He also performs as a guest artist in popular ballet companies like Milan's La Scala Theatre Ballet and Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet.  Over the years, Friedemann Vogel has won many international dance competitions like the Prix de Lausanne.

Kurt Jooss was a German ballet dancer best remembered as the founder of the German Tanztheater. Jooss, who was also a choreographer, is credited with setting up many dance companies, including the famous Folkwang Tanztheater in Essen. Many of his works are performed even today in Germany.

Paula Riemann is a German choreographer and filmmaker who lives and works in London. She is best known for her work as a director and choreographer in Jasmin Tabatabai's Puppet on a String. Before establishing herself as a filmmaker, Paula Riemann worked as an actress, playing Melanie in the Die wilden Hühner trilogy for which she received the Undine Award.

Valeska Gert was a German dancer, cabaret artist, pantomime, and actress. A pioneering performance artist, Gert is credited with establising the foundation for the punk movement. In 2004, Valeska Gert received a star on the Walk of Fame of Cabaret.

Camilla Horn was a German actress and dancer who performed in films of both the silent and sound era. She achieved popularity in the USA during the late 1920s when she appeared in many popular Hollywood films. Camilla Horn remained a screen favorite in Italian, British, and German films throughout her acting career.

Elisabeth Wiedemann was a German actress and dancer best remembered for her portrayal of Else Tetzlaff in the popular German television sitcom Ein Herz und eine Seele. In 1966, she was honored with the prestigious Goldene Kamera.

Stefanie Küster is a German dancer and model. In the 2000s, Küster achieved popularity for her relationship with Dieter Bohlen, who is 25 years her senior. She then went on to appear in magazines like Playboy and also featured in several music videos.

One of Germany’s most influential opera and theater producers, Ruth Berghaus had initially begun her career as a dancer with the Berliner Ensemble and later graduated to production. She also often collaborated with her composer husband Paul Dessau. She was also associated with the Berlin State Opera and the Frankfurt Opera.

Harald Kreutzberg was a German choreographer and dancer. An exponent of German modern dance, Kreutzberg formed an unlikely partnership with ballet dancer Ruth Page which turned out to be successful. Harald Kreutzberg was also a talented ballet dancer and an entertainer.

Robert Dorsay was a German actor, singer, and dancer. He is best remembered for his work in popular German films like A Girl from the Chorus, To New Shores, Adventure in Warsaw, and Love Letters from Engadin. Robert Dorsay was also a revolutionary. He was murdered in October 1943 for defamation of National Socialism and defeatism. 

Maria Matray was a German film actress and screenwriter who achieved popularity before the Weimar Republic was taken over by the Nazis. She then escaped to France from where she moved to the United States. In the US, Matray established herself as a writer and choreographer. Maria Matray returned to Germany after World War II ended.

Maria Litto was a German ballerina, choreographer, and actress best remembered for pioneering dance programming on German TV. Litto is also remembered for her association with the Berlin Opera company where she went on to become a prima ballerina in 1944. She also exhibited her dancing skills in several movies like Third from the Right and Queen of the Arena.

Ery Bos was a German film actress and dancer best remembered for her contribution to Weimar cinema. Despite being a star in the Weimar Republic, Ery Bos was forced to flee because of her Jewish background when the Weimar Republic was taken over by the Nazis. Bos is remembered for her work in films like Impossible Love and The Tsarevich.

Edith Oss was a German film actress and dancer. When her dream of becoming a singer was crushed by a disease that affected her voice box, Edith Oss went on to establish herself as an actress, playing important roles in films like Liselotte von der Pfalz and Menschen vom Varieté.