Legendary German actor Udo Kier dies at 81
What's the story
Udo Kier, the acclaimed German actor known for his roles in My Own Private Idaho, Armageddon, and Dogville, has passed away at the age of 81. His partner, Delbert McBride, confirmed the news to Variety on Sunday morning (US time). The cause of death has not been disclosed. Kier died in a hospital in Palm Springs, California. May he rest in peace.
Career highlights
Kier's career spanned over 200 films
Kier's illustrious career saw him in over 275 roles across Hollywood and European cinema. He worked with renowned directors like Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Gus Van Sant, and Lars von Trier. Kier often played villains and monsters, even portraying vampires and Nazis multiple times. "I like horror films," he once said, "because if you play small or guest parts in movies...it is better to be evil and scare people than be the guy who works...and goes home to his wife."
Early years
Kier's early life and entry into acting
Born Udo Kierspe in Germany in 1944, Kier's early life was marked by hardship. He grew up poor, and at 16, he befriended future film director Fassbinder while drinking in a working-class bar in Cologne. After moving to London to study English, he was discovered in a coffee shop. "I liked the attention, so I became an actor," he once said. His breakout role came with the 1970 horror Mark of the Devil.
Director partnerships
Kier's collaborations with notable directors
Kier's career was also defined by his collaborations with notable directors. He was cast as Frankenstein in 1973's Flesh for Frankenstein and Dracula in 1974's Blood for Dracula by Paul Morrissey, whom he met on a plane. His work with Fassbinder included The Stationmaster's Wife, Berlin Alexanderplatz, The Third Generation, and Lili Marleen. In the 1980s, he started a long-term collaboration with Danish filmmaker von Trier, who cast him in his 1987 TV production of Medea.
Hollywood journey
Kier's Hollywood roles and later career
Kier's first American role came in Van Sant's 1991 film My Own Private Idaho. He also appeared in Madonna's 1992 book Sex and her music videos for Erotica and Deeper and Deeper. The 1990s saw him in small but memorable roles in Hollywood films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon, End of Days, and Blade. His final film was the political thriller The Secret Agent, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.