Ilona Grandke is a German actress, singer, and voice actor, recognized for her extensive work in dubbing international films and television series into German. Born on September 24, 1943, in Breslau, which is now Wrocław, Poland, she began her artistic career with a formal education in acting. She studied at the Academy for Film and Television Konrad Wolf in Potsdam-Babelsberg from 1960 to 1962. Following her training, Grandke gained substantial experience on stage, performing at theaters in Bautzen, Dessau, and at the Volksbühne in Berlin, while also appearing in East German film and television productions. In 1982, she moved to Munich in what was then West Germany, where she continued her work in theater and television, including a main role in the series "Münchener Freiheit".

While Grandke has had a diverse on-screen career, she is perhaps best known to a wide audience for her prolific work as a voice actor. She has lent her distinctive voice to hundreds of characters across film and television, becoming a familiar presence in German-language versions of major international productions. Her dubbing work is notable for its range, covering live-action performances and animated roles. Among her most recognized live-action dubbing roles is that of the formidable Aunt Marge, played by Pam Ferris, in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban. She also became the second German voice for the character of Lieutenant Uhura, originally portrayed by Nichelle Nichols, taking over the role for the Star Trek films and later seasons of the original series.

In the realm of anime and animation, Ilona Grandke has contributed her voice to several prominent projects. As noted, she provided the German voice for the character Zirkonia in the 2021 film Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Film, the villainous director of the Dead Moon Circus. Her anime credits also include roles in other classic and popular series. She voiced the character Kaede in the InuYasha films and series, and the pirate leader Dora in Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Castle in the Sky. Earlier, she was also heard as Queen Metalia in the German dub of the original Sailor Moon anime series.

Throughout her long career, Grandke has demonstrated recurring collaborations with specific actresses, becoming a regular German voice for talents such as Nichelle Nichols, Jeanne Moreau, and Lily Tomlin, among others. Her work is characterized by a versatility that spans from the dramatic gravitas required for roles in live-action drama to the distinctive character voices needed for animation and anime. With over 350 speaking roles documented, Ilona Grandke's contribution to the German dubbing industry is substantial, marking her as a significant figure in bringing international stories and characters to German-speaking audiences.