Elke Sommer, the German-born actress who appeared in "A Shot in the Dark" and "The Prize," has died at 85, according to The Washington Post. Her death was reported on Thursday, October 29, 2026, roughly a week before she would have turned 86, Page Six reported.
Sommer built her career in the 1960s and became one of the era's recognizable screen presences. The Washington Post identified her with "A Shot in the Dark," the 1964 Inspector Clouseau comedy, and "The Prize," the 1963 Cold War thriller. Page Six, in its report on her death, referred to her as a "Pink Panther" star, a nod to the film series that "A Shot in the Dark" belongs to. The Hollywood Reporter also carried news of her death at 85, and blue News described her as an acting legend.
Beyond her film work, Sommer drew attention for her public rivalry with Zsa Zsa Gabor, a feud referenced in coverage of her death. She was also widely characterized in press accounts as a 1960s sex symbol.
Tributes and further remembrances from co-stars and film historians are likely to follow. The Washington Post's full obituary is expected to offer a more complete account of her life and career.
