Academy Award(r) nominee Klaus-Maria Brandauer ("Mephisto," Best Supporting Actor nomination for 1985's "Out of Africa") will join Halle Berry ("Bulworth," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love") in the HBO Pictures presentation DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, it was announced today by John Matoian, president, HBO Pictures and HBO NYC Productions. Brandauer will portray Otto Preminger in the film, which is directed by Martha Coolidge ("Out to Sea," "Rambling Rose"). Robert Katz executive produces with partner Moctesuma Esparza for Esparza/Katz Productions ("Selena"). Halle Berry also serves as executive producer along with Vincent Cirrincione and Joshua D. Maurer ("Dead Men Can't Dance"). Larry Albucher ("Three Wishes") is producer. The script is by Shonda Rhimes ("The Other Woman") and Scott Abbott (HBO's "Winchell"). DOROTHY DANDRIDGE is based on the book "Dorothy Dandridge," by Earl Mills. Gaye Hirsch is the HBO executive in charge of the film.

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE traces the true story of the legendary black actress (Berry) from her youth to her tragic early death. Dandridge achieved success in the title role of the 1954 film "Carmen Jones," making history by becoming the first black woman ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award.(r) Along with her accomplishments came heartache and despair over two high-profile failed marriages, a love affair with Otto Preminger (Brandauer), the institutionalization of her only daughter, and drug dependency.

The cast also includes Brent Spiner ("Star Trek: The Next Generation"), Obba Babatunde (HBO NYC's "Miss Evers' Boys"), Loretta Devine ("Waiting to Exhale"), LaTanya Richardson ("U.S. Marshals"), Tamara Taylor ("Party of Five"), Cynda Williams ("The Wedding") and D.B. Sweeney ("Spawn").

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