Actress. She received recognition in the 20th century as a German actress. Born Helga Hymmen, she began her career by modeling for various European magazines. After bit parts in several films, she came to the attention of director Otto Preminger, who cast her in his film "Bonjour Tristesse" in 1958. It was Preminger who suggested she renamed herself as "Elga Andersen," and as such she continued to work steadily mostly in European films and television until 1974. Her best-known role is that of Lisa Belgetti in the car racing film "Le Mans" in 1971 starring Steve McQueen. Her first marriage in 1962 to Christian Girard ended in divorce. In 1971 she met her second husband Peter Gimbel, heir to the Gimbel Department Stores and they became a couple before marrying in 1978. Andersen would join her husband on his various diving expeditions including those to the sunken Italian ocean liner the "Andrea Doria." Upon her death from cancer, she was cremated and divers placed her ashes, along with those of her husband inside the sunken hull of the Andrea Doria during the following year.
Actress. She received recognition in the 20th century as a German actress. Born Helga Hymmen, she began her career by modeling for various European magazines. After bit parts in several films, she came to the attention of director Otto Preminger, who cast her in his film "Bonjour Tristesse" in 1958. It was Preminger who suggested she renamed herself as "Elga Andersen," and as such she continued to work steadily mostly in European films and television until 1974. Her best-known role is that of Lisa Belgetti in the car racing film "Le Mans" in 1971 starring Steve McQueen. Her first marriage in 1962 to Christian Girard ended in divorce. In 1971 she met her second husband Peter Gimbel, heir to the Gimbel Department Stores and they became a couple before marrying in 1978. Andersen would join her husband on his various diving expeditions including those to the sunken Italian ocean liner the "Andrea Doria." Upon her death from cancer, she was cremated and divers placed her ashes, along with those of her husband inside the sunken hull of the Andrea Doria during the following year.
Bio by: Dan Scott
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