An alluring German-born blonde, Elke Sommer was a minister's daughter who studied English while working as an au pair in London. Intellectually inclined (she is fluent in seven languages), she attended university with the intention of working as a diplomatic translator. A brief modeling career led to her first film role in the German-language "Das Totenschiff" (1959). Later, she was spotted by a producer and cast in "Femmine di Lusso" (1960) Her nude scenes in "The Victors" (1963) garnered her press in America and she landed opposite Paul Newman in the engaging drama "The Prize" (1963) and Peter Sellars in the comic romp "A Shot in the Dark" (1964). Her subsequent films have been a mixed bag of generally uninspired and forgettable vehicles.
Sommer, however, found a home on television. In the late 60s and early 70s, she was a frequent guest on Bob Hope's variety specials and also proved a lively talk show guest. She headlined the busted CBS pilot "Elke" in 1971. In the mid-80s, Sommer hosted the syndicated "Elke Sommer's World of Speed and Beauty" (later revived on TNN in 1989) and the PBS series "Painting With Elke Sommer" (1985). Among her acting credits are roles in the miniseries "Inside the Third Reich" (ABC, 1982), "Peter the Great" (NBC, 1986) and "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" (NBC, 1986). To date, her last regular role was on the Canadian-produced series "Destiny Ridge" (1992-93). Sommer has also appeared in a number of stage vehicles ranging from the comedy "Born Yesterday" to the musical "Woman of the Year".