In one of the latest goodbyes to an entertainment figure, “Flashdance” star Jennifer Beals fondly remembered one of her former costars, Christa Lang, around February 4, 2026 in a heartfelt Instagram post. Lang, a German-born French New Wave standout, starred with Beals in Samuel Fuller’s 1990 political action thriller “The Madonna and the Dragon.” Lang died in Los Angeles at 82, The Hollywood Reporter says her daughter, Samantha Fuller, announced. The exact cause of death has not been specified, but the report does say Samantha cited “a brief period of declining health.”
Jennifer Beals Calls the Late Christa Lang ‘Brilliant, Mischievous, & Magical’
Beals began her tribute by writing, “The extraordinary Christa Lang Fuller was not only a muse to the French New Wave, partner nonpareil to Sam Fuller, loving mother to her daughter Samantha but also brilliant, mischievous and magical in equal measure.”
The 62-year-old then reminisced, “She loved nothing more than to throw her artist friends into a proverbial loving pot, stir, and watch what would happen. When I first knocked at the door of her and Sam’s Parisian apartment, she threw the door wide open and stark naked embraced me. With a insouciant tilt of her head she bid me follow her into the living room where Sam sat with a cigar.”
Beals went on to fondly recall, “The grande dame knew how to make a lasting impression…and a lasting friendship. She then made sure to keep Lang’s daughter and granddaughter in her thoughts, saying, “My love and deepest condolences goes out to Samantha and Samira.”
GettyA fan responded to Beals’ post with their own fond memories of Lang. They wrote, “I remember the German Creme scene film “Dead Pigeon in Beethovenstrasse” from 1972. A TV film by Samuel Fuller, with Christa Lang. Rest in peace. Thank you, Jennifer Beals.”
Another fan chimed in, “Such powerful and poetic words you found to describe the impactful first moment of a meeting, and the lasting effects of a friendship. Thanks for sharing!”
Independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, known for “The Dead Don’t Die” among other projects, also paid tribute in a post of his own. He wrote, “R.I.P. Christa. We now have lost the remarkable and indefatigable Christa Lang Fuller. I hold in my heart memories of adventures together, & with Sam. love & thoughts to Samantha & Samira.”
Christa Lang Was Preceded in death by Her Husband, Director Samuel Fuller
Lang was born Christa Langewiesche in Winterberg, Germany. The Hollywood Reporter’s obituary points out that she showed artistic talent at an early age, having a poem published in a local newspaper at 15.
The report says she moved to France at 17, where she saved money for acting classes while doing modeling jobs, including as an art model for actor Jean-Paul Belmondo’s artist father, Paul Belmondo.
Lang married Samuel Fuller in 1967, and the pair welcomed Samantha in 1975. Lang and Fuller remained married until his death in 1997.
Lang’s death comes a little over a month after the loss of her fellow French New Wave icon, Brigitte Bardot.
