Susanne Cramer

At 20, she married Hermann Nehlsen, 37, who encouraged her film ambitions. That marriage ended in divorce, and she later had a relationship with Claus Biederstaedt, whom she met in 1956 while filming Kleines Zelt und große Liebe. That relationship also failed. In February 1958, the Frankfurter Abendpost reported she had attempted suicide, which she denied.

Her American television career began in 1963 with an episode of The Dakotas and continued through 1969 with an appearance on The Guns of Will Sonnett. Over six years, she played roles in 24 other television shows, including two episodes each of The Rogues (1964), Kraft Suspense Theater (1965), Burke's Law (1964-65), and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as well as single appearances on My Favorite Martian (1965) and Rat Patrol (1967). She also appeared in two Perry Mason episodes: "The Case of a Place Called Midnight" and "The Case of the Fugitive Fraulein."

Her only US film role (aside from an uncredited bit part in Dear Brigitte) was a small part in Bedtime Story, starring Marlon Brando and David Niven. She married Kevin Hagen in January 1967, and they were still married at her death. She was married four other times: to Allan A. Buckhantz (one child), Helmuth Lohner (twice, with one child from the second marriage), and Hermann Nehlsen. Cramer fell ill with Hong Kong flu and died in a private clinic, officially from pneumonia. Rumors have circulated about the circumstances, including suicide or medical malpractice. Her grave is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).