This Woman Started as a Dental Assistant, but in the '70s, She Became One of the Hottest Women in Hollywood – See Her Now

She once worked behind the scenes in a medical office in Europe — but it didn't take long before she was front and center on movie posters in America. This actress's rise to fame was fast, and her transformation over the decades is just as captivating.

This star, standing at 5'7" with striking features and a powerful presence, went from working as a dental assistant to captivating audiences as a siren of the 1970s and '80s and becoming a staple in European cinema and Hollywood cult classics.

From the glamour of her early film days to her current life in her late 70s, her transformation is a testament to longevity, confidence, and reinvention. Here's how she changed through the decades and what she looks like now.

1970s

Born in Wels, Austria, to an Austrian mother and a U.S. Army major, this actress spent her early years moving between military bases in the United States, including New Jersey, Maryland, and California.

Her first job, at just 14 years old, was as a dental assistant for her uncle. By 16, she had relocated to Vienna, working in dental supplies, then moved again to Salzburg to assist a prominent oral surgeon.

It wasn't long before her career took a sharp turn toward beauty and performance. After earning a diploma from the Buchner School of Cosmetology in Salzburg, she began appearing in fashion shows and print work — early signs of the screen siren she would soon become.

Her on-screen debut came with a role as Lorelei in the 1968 German film "Komm nur, mein liebstes Vögelein." That performance opened the door to further opportunities, including a notable part as Kriemhild in "The Long Swift Sword of Siegfried."

She later trained under esteemed Munich drama coach Anne-Marie Hanschke, refining her craft as she stepped deeper into the world of film.

During the decade, she carved out a dual identity — on one hand, appearing in mainstream films like "Bluebeard" co-starring Sylvia Kristel, "The Four Musketeers" co-starring Faye Dunaway, and "The Concorde... Airport '79," and on the other, leaning into the more provocative roles that would help shape her image.

These included projects such as "Naughty Nymphs," "Das Mädchen mit der heißen Masche," and "Cat in the Cage," all of which gave her growing recognition in the European exploitation scene.

By the end of the 1970s, this actress radiated a captivating presence that turned heads. She became known for her voluminous platinum blonde hair, styled in soft, structured waves that framed a face that was strikingly symmetrical and expressive.

High cheekbones, wide-set eyes, and a defined jawline gave her a statuesque and photogenic quality that cameras adored. Whether her hair was styled in glamorous curls or left to flow naturally, her look was effortlessly commanding.

1980s

By the 1980s, the actress's transformation was unmistakable. Gone were the softer, romantic waves of the '70s. In their place came bold, sculpted looks that matched the confident force she had become.

Her hair shifted between icy platinum and golden blonde, worn in a voluminous mane or cropped into a sleek, straight bob with sharp bangs. Her face remained striking — angular and expressive — but now carried an edge of intensity that reflected the fierceness of the roles she was taking on.

Her jawline was sharper, her gaze more commanding. Her physique became noticeably more athletic as she embraced a strong, toned silhouette that defied the traditional softness of many Hollywood leading ladies of the time.

While the industry in America was celebrating hyper-masculine action stars, she stepped into roles that gave female power a new face — and figure.

In an interview reflecting on the era, the actress recalled arriving in Hollywood from Europe only a few years prior. "There are 5,000 actors not working," she was told. Her reply? "Then it will be 5,001 — unless I change that." And she did.

The 1980s Reagan-era cinema leaned hard into explosive action and machismo, but that shift left a gap — one she filled with full force. Hollywood may not have been making space for women in action, but the world of B-movies was.

Her experience with sensual films in Europe, where nudity and physical expression were seen as natural, helped her navigate the roles that followed. She never viewed herself as a "sex object" — only a "sex symbol," a distinction she proudly emphasized.

That self-awareness empowered her to take on roles that were sexy, strong, and subversive all at once. She stole scenes as the warrior Saint-Exmin in "Battle Beyond the Stars," and turned heads as the fierce inmate Ericka in "Chained Heat."

She ruled the screen as Stirba, the werewolf queen in "Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf," and brought fire to her role as a seductive English professor in "They're Playing with Fire." From sci-fi to sword-and-sorcery to parody, she thrived in genres others overlooked.

By the late '80s, she was not just featured — she was the feature. In "L.A. Bounty," she played a gritty, gun-slinging bounty hunter. In "Reform School Girls," she sent up the very tropes she helped define.

And in "Amazon Women on the Moon," she became the literal Queen of the Moon. These weren't just parts in films — they were statements. Through them, she redefined what it meant to be a woman in genre cinema — powerful, playful, and entirely in control.

1990s

The 1990s brought yet another shift — not just in style but in energy. Still striking, the actress entered the decade with a more understated sophistication. Her features were still as defined as ever but the look had softened, leaning into elegance over intensity.

In 1991, she appeared at Michael Bass's First Annual Holiday Party to benefit the "Toyskis for Totskis" campaign in West Hollywood. Dressed in a bold red suit, she stood out effortlessly.

By 1994, that sense of poise was even more pronounced. At an American Cancer Society tribute in Beverly Hills, she wore an ornate black and gold ensemble that evoked a regal flair.

Her auburn-toned hair, styled in relaxed layers, gave warmth to her angular features. The gold statement necklace was bold and commanding. It echoed the strength that had always defined her, while her bright smile softened the overall look.

In 1995, the blonde star attended the Hollywood Women's Press Club's 55th Annual Golden Apple Awards with effortless elegance. Her hair had returned to a lighter blonde shade, styled simply around her shoulders with a subtle fringe.

Her skin was radiant, her expression composed and calm. No longer leaning on the overt glamor of the past, she projected something deeper — the quiet power of someone who had seen and done it all and was still standing tall.

2000s

In the 2000s, the actress's appearance began to reflect a natural shift that comes with time. The dramatic looks of the past were replaced with a more relaxed and mature style. Her face showed signs of aging gracefully, with softer features and a calmer presence.

At the "Grindhouse" premiere in 2007, she wore her hair in a warm reddish-blonde shade, pulled back slightly to reveal more of her face. The strong cheekbones and striking eyes were still there but now carried a quieter expression.

Two years later, in 2009, she attended the "Blood River" premiere in Hollywood. Her hair was worn down in loose layers with a honey tone that framed her face. She kept her look casual, opting for a brown jacket and minimal makeup, letting her natural features come through.

That same year, the '70s star appeared at the "The Black Waters of Echo's Pond" premiere in Santa Monica. She wore a graphic tee and bright red pants, a fun and laid-back outfit matching her easygoing attitude. Her hair was slightly longer and lighter, and she looked comfortable on the red carpet.

2010s

By the 2010s, the actress was in her 60s and continuing to age naturally. Her features had softened, but she still had the same piercing eyes and unmistakable presence.

Her hair, now worn in a sleek shoulder-length cut or styled into a blunt bob, shifted between warm blonde and platinum tones throughout the decade. She occasionally appeared at public events, often dressed in bold, structured outfits that gave her a polished look.

Professionally, she stayed active behind the scenes. In a 2015 interview, she explained that she had no interest in being labeled a "scream queen." To her, that title belonged to actresses who played victims — and she had always preferred playing strong, sometimes dangerous characters.

"If you notice in 'Howling,' I'm doing the victimizing," she said. "I've always liked to stay away from playing a victim." That same year, she was also focused on her "Ruger" comic book series, a character she owned based on her role in "L.A. Bounty."

The comics were printed physically — a choice she felt strongly about — and she planned to adapt the story into a film and a mobile game.

Outside of entertainment, she worked with the Global Post Traumatic Stress Foundation to raise awareness for veterans struggling with PTSD, speaking passionately about the importance of support and treatment.

2020s

This actress, who rose to fame for her B-movie cult hits and sword-and-sorcery epics, is Sybil Danning, and at 77, she continues to turn heads. In the 2020s, Danning continued to make rare but memorable public appearances.

Her facial features, though naturally aged, still carry the signature intensity that made her a standout decades ago. Her skin shows the signs of time, but she wears it without pretense — comfortable, poised, and present.

Over the years, Danning has continued to earn praise for her beauty, with one person commenting on a throwback post of the '70s star, "Hot Lady."

Another netizen said of a snap of the actress from years back, "So attractively beautiful." "She is beautiful," another person wrote about Danning's timeless beauty that was on full display during an interview in 2021.

From dental offices to cult classics, Danning's path was anything but ordinary. She adapted, evolved, and stayed true to herself through each decade. Even now, the actress remains a striking example of a lasting presence in an ever-changing industry.