Elke Sommer, Star of 'A Shot in the Dark' and 'The Wrecking Crew', Dies at 85

Established entertainment publications report that actor Elke Sommer, known for her roles in 1960s films including the Pink Panther sequel *A Shot in the Dark* and *The Wrecking Crew*, has died at the age of 85. According to reports, she passed away on Wednesday, October 28, at her home in Bel-Air, California, due to heart failure.

Her death was announced to the German newspaper Bild by her stepson, Sebastian Walther, through a spokesperson. The statement conveyed that she passed away peacefully and would be reunited with her husband, German hotelier Wolf Walther, who died three months prior in July.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

• Origins: Born Elke Schletz on November 5, 1940, in Berlin, to a Lutheran minister's family.
• Discovery: While vacationing in Italy in 1958, she was noticed by film director Vittorio De Sica, launching her acting career.
• Breakthrough: Gained international recognition with the 1959 spy film and romantic comedy *The Prize* starring Paul Newman, earning a Golden Globe award for Most Promising Newcomer Actress.

Notable 1960s and 1970s Film Career

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sommer appeared in numerous caper-style thrillers, comedies, and dramas alongside leading men of the era:

• *A Shot in the Dark* (1964) with Peter Sellers
• *The Art of Love* (1965) with James Garner
• *The Oscar* (1966) with Stephen Boyd
• *Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!* (1966) with Bob Hope
• *The Wrecking Crew* (1968) with Dean Martin
• Later genre work, including horror films such as *Baron Blood* and *Lisa and the Devil*.

Television Work and Later Years

As her film roles shifted in later decades, Sommer transitioned to television during the 1980s and 1990s. Notable TV appearances included portraying Joseph Goebbels' wife in the 1982 miniseries *Inside the Third Reich*, alongside guest roles on programs like *The Muppet Show*, *The Love Boat*, and *St. Elsewhere*.

Verification and Practical Implications

Readers seeking to verify details of this announcement can consult official entertainment industry trade publications and the original statements provided by family spokespersons to media outlets such as Bild.