Angelika Saleh, who gave her name to one of New York's most influential independent cinemas, has died at 90 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Born Angelika Maria Ohl in Munich in 1935, she fled postwar Germany to become a Pan Am stewardess before marrying Iraqi-Jewish immigrant Joseph Saleh and settling on Madison Avenue. Together they founded the Angelika Film Center in 1989, creating a cultural institution that would shape indie cinema for decades.

The Salehs entered the film business as producers before launching the Angelika in Manhattan's Cable Building, a former cable-car maintenance facility. They transformed the 7,000-square-foot basement into six theaters and created a pioneering cafe concept that combined quality food with arthouse films. The theater became known for its signature subway rumblings and launched the careers of filmmakers like Kevin Smith, whose "Clerks" premiered there in 1993 after he was inspired by watching Richard Linklater's "Slacker" at the Angelika.

The couple sold the theater in 1996 for approximately $12 million during their divorce. Reading International now operates eight Angelika theaters across the United States and Australia. Despite her pivotal role, many employees remained unaware that the theater bore her name until her death. As her daughter noted, Saleh would quietly book restaurant reservations under "Angelika" - a small reminder of the grande dame who helped redefine New York's cinematic landscape.