maria!brigitte helm was born brigitte eva gisela schittenhelm in berlin in either 1906 or 1908. she was not even 18 when she was discovered by fritz lang for the dual lead in metropolis in 1927. she became a star overnight and went on to make over 30 films including a transition to sound films. in 1935, angered by nazi control over the film industry, she retired. she would marry her second husband, dr. hugo kunheim that same year & they would raise four children together in switzerland. in 1968 she received the filmband in gold for "continued outstanding individual contributions to german film over the years". she refused to appear in any films nor even grant interviews about her career but she would always sign autographs for her fans. she reportedly turned down roles in the blue angel (which went to marlene dietrich) and the bride of frankenstein (else lanchester). she died in 1996 in switzerland.