Actress & Inventor
Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was born on November 9, 1914 in Vienna, Austria. She starred in her first film at age 18 and starred in Ecstasy at 19.
Hedy Lamarr was born in 1914 and lived to age 86. Anyone born before 1914 is older than Hedy. Anyone over 86 is older than Hedy ever was.
Born
November 9, 1914
Vienna, Austria
World pop: ~1.8B
Died
January 19, 2000
World pop: ~6.1B
Hedy's age at death
86
Your age
20
Are you older than Hedy Lamarr?
No — Hedy Lamarr was born in 1914. You were born in 2006, making you 92 years younger. Hedy lived to age 86. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Hedy was when she died.
At your age (20), Hedy had already starred in Ecstasy (at age 19), but hadn't yet starred in 'Algiers' (at age 24).
Hedy's Life Timeline
Hedy Lamarr was born on November 9, 1914, in Vienna, Austria, into a well-to-do Jewish family. Her early life was marked by a fascination with the arts, and she began acting in silent films at a young age. After her first marriage, she moved to Hollywood, where she became a prominent figure in the film industry, known for her beauty and talent.
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Throughout her career, Hedy Lamarr achieved significant milestones. She gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s with films such as 'Algiers' (1938) and 'Samson and Delilah' (1949). However, her contributions extended beyond acting; during World War II, she co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology intended to help the Allied forces. This invention laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Hedy Lamarr's legacy as both an actress and an inventor has been recognized posthumously. She passed away on January 19, 2000, at the age of 86, leaving behind a dual legacy in the entertainment industry and technological innovation. In 2014, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, highlighting her contributions to science and technology, which were often overshadowed by her film career.
Starred in her first film
Hedy Lamarr was 18 years old when she starred in her first film, 'Geld auf der Straße' (Money on the Street). This marked the beginning of her acting career in Europe, showcasing her talent and beauty.
Hedy Lamarr was 18 years old when she starred in her first film in 1932. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in Ecstasy
Hedy Lamarr starred in the controversial Czech film 'Ecstasy,' her early breakthrough that gained international notoriety for its daring content.
Hedy Lamarr was 19 years old when she starred in Ecstasy in 1933. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in 'Algiers'
Hedy Lamarr was 24 years old when she starred in the film 'Algiers', which became a major success and solidified her status as a leading actress in Hollywood.
Hedy Lamarr was 24 years old when she starred in 'Algiers' in 1938. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in 'Boom Town'
Hedy Lamarr was 26 years old when she starred in 'Boom Town' alongside Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, a box office hit about the oil industry.
Hedy Lamarr was 26 years old when she starred in 'Boom Town' in 1940. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in 'Ziegfeld Girl'
Hedy Lamarr was 27 years old when she starred alongside Judy Garland and Lana Turner in 'Ziegfeld Girl', a musical drama about showgirls on Broadway.
Hedy Lamarr was 27 years old when she starred in 'Ziegfeld Girl' in 1941. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Co-invented frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology
Hedy Lamarr was 28 years old when she and composer George Antheil received a patent for frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, intended to make radio-guided torpedoes harder to detect. This invention laid the groundwork for modern Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Hedy Lamarr was 28 years old when she co-invented frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology in 1942. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in White Cargo
Hedy Lamarr starred in 'White Cargo,' playing the seductive Tondelayo in one of her most memorable Hollywood roles.
Hedy Lamarr was 28 years old when she starred in White Cargo in 1942. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in 'Samson and Delilah'
Hedy Lamarr was 35 years old when she starred in 'Samson and Delilah', which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year, further establishing her legacy in cinema.
Hedy Lamarr was 35 years old when she starred in 'Samson and Delilah' in 1949. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Starred in My Favorite Spy
Hedy Lamarr starred alongside Bob Hope in 'My Favorite Spy,' a comedy-espionage film that showcased her comedic talents.
Hedy Lamarr was 37 years old when she starred in My Favorite Spy in 1951. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Co-invented frequency-hopping technology
Hedy Lamarr was 38 years old when she co-invented frequency-hopping technology, which was designed to prevent the jamming of radio signals during World War II. This innovation is now fundamental to modern wireless communication.
Hedy Lamarr was 38 years old when she co-invented frequency-hopping technology in 1952. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
Hedy Lamarr was 85 years old when she passed away on January 19, 2000. Her contributions to both film and technology continue to be celebrated, highlighting her remarkable dual legacy.
Hedy Lamarr was 85 years old when she passed away in 2000. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame (posthumous)
Hedy Lamarr was inducted posthumously into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014 for her co-invention of frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, recognizing her contributions to modern wireless communications.
Hedy Lamarr was 100 years old when she inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame (posthumous) in 2014. Are you older than Hedy was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 0 | |
| 1915 | 1 | |
| 1916 | 2 | |
| 1917 | 3 | |
| 1918 | 4 | |
| 1919 | 5 | |
| 1920 | 6 | |
| 1921 | 7 | |
| 1922 | 8 | |
| 1923 | 9 | |
| 1924 | 10 | |
| 1925 | 11 | |
| 1926 | 12 | |
| 1927 | 13 | |
| 1928 | 14 | |
| 1929 | 15 | |
| 1930 | 16 | |
| 1931 | 17 | |
| 1932 | 18 | starred in her first film |
| 1933 | 19 | starred in Ecstasy |
| 1934 | 20 | |
| 1935 | 21 | |
| 1936 | 22 | |
| 1937 | 23 | |
| 1938 | 24 | starred in 'Algiers' |
| 1939 | 25 | |
| 1940 | 26 | starred in 'Boom Town' |
| 1941 | 27 | starred in 'Ziegfeld Girl' |
| 1942 | 28 | co-invented frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology |
| 1943 | 29 | |
| 1944 | 30 | |
| 1945 | 31 | |
| 1946 | 32 | |
| 1947 | 33 | |
| 1948 | 34 | |
| 1949 | 35 | starred in 'Samson and Delilah' |
| 1950 | 36 | |
| 1951 | 37 | starred in My Favorite Spy |
| 1952 | 38 | co-invented frequency-hopping technology |
| 1953 | 39 | |
| 1954 | 40 | |
| 1955 | 41 | |
| 1956 | 42 | |
| 1957 | 43 | |
| 1958 | 44 | |
| 1959 | 45 | |
| 1960 | 46 | |
| 1961 | 47 | |
| 1962 | 48 | |
| 1963 | 49 | |
| 1964 | 50 | |
| 1965 | 51 | |
| 1966 | 52 | |
| 1967 | 53 | |
| 1968 | 54 | |
| 1969 | 55 | |
| 1970 | 56 | |
| 1971 | 57 | |
| 1972 | 58 | |
| 1973 | 59 | |
| 1974 | 60 | |
| 1975 | 61 | |
| 1976 | 62 | |
| 1977 | 63 | |
| 1978 | 64 | |
| 1979 | 65 | |
| 1980 | 66 | |
| 1981 | 67 | |
| 1982 | 68 | |
| 1983 | 69 | |
| 1984 | 70 | |
| 1985 | 71 | |
| 1986 | 72 | |
| 1987 | 73 | |
| 1988 | 74 | |
| 1989 | 75 | |
| 1990 | 76 | |
| 1991 | 77 | |
| 1992 | 78 | |
| 1993 | 79 | |
| 1994 | 80 | |
| 1995 | 81 | |
| 1996 | 82 | |
| 1997 | 83 | |
| 1998 | 84 | |
| 1999 | 85 | |
| 2000 | 86 | passed away |
