Udo Kier

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Udo Kier
Kier at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival
Born
Udo Kierspe

(1944-10-14) 14 October 1944 (age 80)
Cologne, Germany
OccupationActor
Years active1966–present
Websitewww.udokier.de Edit this at Wikidata

Udo Kierspe (born 14 October 1944), known professionally as Udo Kier, is a German actor. Known primarily as a character actor, he has appeared in more than 220 films in both leading and supporting roles throughout Europe and the Americas. He has collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Lars von Trier, Gus Van Sant, Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Walerian Borowczyk, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Dario Argento, Tom Shadyac, Charles Matton, Guy Maddin, Alexander Payne, and Paul Morrissey.[1][2]

Early life

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Kier was born in Cologne near the end of World War II. The hospital where he was born was bombed by the invading Allied forces moments after his birth, and he and his mother had to be dug out of the rubble.[3][4] Kier grew up without a father.[5] In his youth, he was an altar boy[6] and cantor. He moved to London, England, at the age of 18 to learn English.[1]

Career

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Kier in Flesh for Frankenstein

In 1966, Kier was cast in the lead role for the film Road to St. Tropez.[7][8] An early starring role in Andy Warhol's Frankenstein (1973) led to a string of art-house, low-budget, and mainstream horror films, including a number of vampire-themed pictures Die Einsteiger (1985), Blade (1998), Modern Vampires (1998), Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Dracula 3000 and BloodRayne (2005). He has also become famous for his work with cult directors, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Walerian Borowczyk, Gus Van Sant, Christoph Schlingensief, and Dario Argento (whose classic Suspiria (1977) he was featured in). He has appeared in almost all of Lars von Trier's films since 1987's Epidemic (with the exceptions of The Idiots, The Boss of it All, Antichrist and The House That Jack Built).

Kier at the press conference of Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot at Berlinale 2018

His most famous Hollywood roles include his appearance as Ron Camp in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994),[9] Curly in Barb Wire, as a NASA flight psychologist in Armageddon,[10][11] as the villainous Lorenzini in The Adventures of Pinocchio and 1999 sequel The New Adventures of Pinocchio, and as Ralfi in the film Johnny Mnemonic. In 1992, Kier appeared in Madonna's controversial book Sex. He also appeared in the music videos for Madonna's songs "Erotica" and "Deeper and Deeper", both taken from Madonna's 1992 album Erotica.[12] Kier also appeared in the music videos for Korn's "Make Me Bad", Eve's "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", and "Die Schöne und das Biest" by defunct German band Rauhfaser.

He has also worked extensively as a voice actor, starring as the psychic Yuri (as well as the voice of the PsiCorps) in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and its expansion, Yuri's Revenge. He also voiced the Music Master in Justice League, Herbert Ziegler in The Batman, Ivan Bahn in Metropia, Professor Pericles in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Mister Toad in Beware the Batman, Warden in Axe Cop, Head Vampire Vampire in Major Lazer, Dylan Beekler's Backpack in Golan the Insatiable and Dr. Peter Straub in Call of Duty: WWII.

A documentary on his life and career entitled ICH-UDO...der Schauspieler Udo Kier (ME –UDO...the actor Udo Kier) was filmed for Arte, the European Franco-German culture channel, and released in 2012.[13] In 2013, the documentary won the New York Festival "Finalist Certificate".[14] Another documentary entitled Udo Kier - Dracula trash et dandy magnétique was released by Jobst Knigge (Germany, 2024, 52 min.) and broadcast by Arte France in early November 2024 celebrating his 80th birthday.

Personal life

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Kier is gay, and has been open about his homosexuality his entire life. "No one ever asked about my sexuality. Maybe it was obvious, but it didn't make any difference because all that mattered was the role I was playing. As long as I did a good job on the part, no one cared about my sexuality."[15]

He moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.[7][16][17]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 Road to Saint Tropez Boy Short film
1968 Shameless [de] Alexander Pohlmann
1969 La stagione dei sensi [it] Luca
1970 Mark of the Devil Count Christian von Meruh
1971 Oi Erotomaneis Tonis Theodorou
Provocation Angelos
Anilikes amartoles
1972 The Salzburg Connection Anton
1973 Flesh for Frankenstein Baron von Frankenstein
Pan Pilgrim of Death
1974 Blood for Dracula Count Dracula
1975 The Last Word Raimund
Story of O René
1976 Exposé Paul Martin
Goldflocken [fr] Franzl
Spermula Werner
1977 Suspiria Dr. Frank Mandel Uncredited
Belcanto oder Darf eine Nutte schluchzen? Poulailler
1978 The Fifth Commandment Peter Dümmel
1979 The Third Generation Edgar Gast
Hungarian Rhapsody Poór
1980 Narcissus and Psyche Laci Tóth
Lulu Jack the Ripper
1981 Docteur Jekyll et les femmes Dr. Henry Jekyll
Lola Waiter Uncredited; also production designer
Lili Marleen Drewitz
1983 The Island of the Bloody Plantation [de] Hermano
The Roaring Fifties Fromm
Pankow '95 Johann Wolfgang Amadeus Zart
1984 Moscow on the Hudson Gay Man on Street Uncredited cameo
1985 The Invincible Argon
Seduction: The Cruel Woman Gregor
Die Einsteiger [de] Graf Frackstein
1986 Egomania – Insel ohne Hoffnung Baron Tante Teufel
1987 Epidemic Himself
1988 Another Way: D-Kikan-Joho Hansman
Mother's Mask Herr Seidler
1989 100 Jahre Adolf Hitler – Die letzte Stunde im Führerbunker Adolf Hitler
1990 Das deutsche Kettensägenmassaker Jonny Also assistant director
1991 My Own Private Idaho Hans
Europa Lawrence Hartmann
1992 Terror 2000 – Intensivstation Deutschland Jablo
1993 Josh and S.A.M. Salon Manager
For Love or Money Mr. Himmelman
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues Commercial Director
Three Shake-a-Leg Steps to Heaven Edouard Müllendorf
1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Ron Camp
Rotwang muß weg! [de] Arthur Eigenrauch
1995 Schmetterling im Dunkeln Himself Documentary short
A Trick of Light Max Skladanowsky
Johnny Mnemonic Ralfi
Ausgestorben York Cortex Short film
Over My Dead Body Killer
Paradise Framed Himself
Extinct York Cortex Short film
Dog Daze Erich von Stroheim Short film
1996 United Trash UNO-General Werner Brenner
Barb Wire Curly
Breaking the Waves Sadistic Sailor
Lea Block
The Adventures of Pinocchio Lorenzini
1997 The End of Violence Zoltan Kovacs
Betty Vincent Lord
Prince Valiant Sligon
1998 Armageddon Psychologist
There's No Fish Food in Heaven Rocky
Blade Gitano Dragonetti
Life in the Fast Lane Rocky
Stingers
Schuldig
Immaculate Springs Hans
1999 End of Days Dr. Abel
History Is Made at Night Ivan Bliniak
Besat Vincent
The Debtors
Unter den Palmen Ludwig
The New Adventures of Pinocchio Madame Flambeau / Lorenzini
2000 Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence
Shadow of the Vampire Albin Grau
Dancer in the Dark Dr. Porkorny
Red Letters George Kessler
Just One Night Walter Lert
Doomsdayer Max Gast
Simon Says Stuart Moss
2001 Critical Mass Samson
Invincible Count Helldorf
Double Deception Vincent
Die Gottesanbeterin
Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 The Guardian
All the Queen's Men General Landssdorf
Revelation Grand Master
2002 Auf Herz und Nieren Doc
Broken Cookies Director
FeardotCom Polidori
Mrs Meitlemeihr Hitler / Mrs. Meitlemeihr Short film
Pigs Will Fly Onkel Max
2003 10 Schritte Himself Short film
Dogville The Man in the Coat
Love Object Radley
Gate to Heaven Joachim Nowak
2004 Celluloid Horror Himself Documentary
Paranoia 1.0 Derrick
Jargo Jargos Vater
Sawtooth Reverend Cain
Modigliani Max Jacob
Evil Eyes George
Dracula 3000 Captain Varna
Surviving Christmas Heinrich
2005 Children of Wax P.
Headspace Rev. Karl Hartman
One More Round Lance Wallace
Wit's End The Stranger
Manderlay Mr. Kirspe
BloodRayne Regal Monk
2006 Pray for Morning Edouard Leopold Edu
Holly Klaus
Crusade in Jeans Dr. Lawerence
2007 Children of Wax P
2007 Fall Down Dead Picasso Killer / Aaron Garvey Also associate producer
Grindhouse Franz Hess Segment: "Werewolf Women of the SS"
Halloween Morgan Walker
Tell Hermann Gessler
The Mother of Tears Father Johannes
Pars: Operation Cherry Klaus Kayman
2008 Far Cry Dr. Lucas Krieger
1½ Knights – In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde Luipold Trumpf
2009 Lulu and Jimi Schultz
House of Boys Madame
Soul Kitchen Herr Jung
Metropia Ivan Bahn Voice[18]
Tattoos: A Scarred History Himself Documentary
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? Lee Meyers
2010 Das Leben ist zu lang [de] Tabatabai
2011 Die Blutgräfin
Keyhole Dr. Lemke
Graf Karpatovicz and the Blonde Bite Graf Karpatovicz Short film
The Sky Has Four Corners Graf Karpatovicz
Gorunmeyen Bartok
Melancholia Wedding Planner
The Theatre Bizarre Peg Poett
UFO in Her Eyes Steve Frost
The Berlin Project Guru
2012 Iron Sky Wolfgang Kortzfleisch
Unlocking Passages The Actor Short film
2013 Night of the Templar Father Paul
Heather's Dream Doctor Short film
The Girl behind the White Picket Fence The Shaman / The Doctor
Nymphomaniac The Waiter
2014 Arteholic Himself Documentary
Beethoven's Treasure Tail The Real Fritz Bruchschnauser
The Editor Dr. Casini
2015 Coconut Hero Mr. Morrow (Therapist)
Get Well Soon: It's Love Man Short film
Johnny Walker Fyodor Voice
Shanzo (Teaser) Jago Short film
The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin Himself Documentary
The Forbidden Room Count Yugh / The Butler / The Dead Father / Guard / Pharmacist
Zero The Lord of the World
2016 Courier X Nathan Vogel
Seances Actor Short film
Brother Frank Solek
2017 Downsizing Joris Konrad
Hitler's Hollywood Narrator (USA version) Voice
Documentary
Brawl in Cell Block 99 Placid Man
2018 American Animals Mr. Van Der Hoek
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot George
Daughter of Mine Bruno
Ulysses: A Dark Odyssey Alcyde
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich André Toulon
Dragged Across Concrete Friedrich
The Mountain Frederick
2019 American Exit Anton
Iron Sky: The Coming Race Wolfgang Kortzfleisch
Holy Beasts Henry
Bacurau Michael
The Painted Bird Miller
The Barefoot Emperor Dr. Otto Kroll
Skin Walker Claus
2020 Last Moment of Clarity Ivan
2021 Haymaker Furst
The Blazing World Lained
Swan Song Pat Pitsenbarger
Chompy & The Girls Chompy Voice
13 Tracks to Frighten Agatha Black Opening Narration Voice
2022 A E I O U: A Quick Alphabet of Love Michel
Bad Painter O
My Neighbor Adolf Mr. Herzog
2025 By Design Aldo Fabbri
The Secret Agent Hans
TBA The Ark: An Iron Sky Story Grand Master Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1973 Sonderdezernat K1 Harry Gätjens Episode: "Kassensturz um Mitternacht"
Joseph Balsamo [fr] Gilbert 3 episodes
1977 The Stationmaster's Wife [de] Schafftaler Television film; also assistant director
1980 Berlin Alexanderplatz Young Man in the Bar 2 episodes
1986 Der Fahnder Uli Weber Episode: "Ein König ohne Reich"
Kir Royal Holger Episode: "Adieu Clairef"
1988 Medea Jason Television film
1992 Tod eines Weltstars Weltstar Udo Kier Television film
1993 Red Shoe Diaries Fashion Designer Episode: "Runaway"
Seaquest DSV Dr. Guy Peche Episode: "Give me Liberté"
Udo Kier - From A to A Himself Television film documentary
Jack Reed: Badge of Honor Giles Marquette Television film
1994 Doppelter Einsatz König Episode: "Feuerzauber"
1994–1997, 2022 The Kingdom Åge Krüger (human disguise for Satan)
Frederik/Little Brother/Big Brother (the Antichrist) 		8 episodes
1996 Tracey Takes On... Klaus Episode: "Death"
Nash Bridges Wolfgang Herzog Episode: "Aloha Nash"
1996, 1999 The Sentinel Klaus Zeller 2 episodes
1996, 2009 Tatort Beethoven / Hans-Rudi Dreher 2 episodes
1998 Viper Erich Geiger Episode: "Double Team"
V.I.P. Viktor Balek Episode: "What to Do with Vallery When You're Deam"
Modern Vampires Vincent Television film
Miss Diamond Buhler Television film
Nina - Vom Kinderzimmer ins Bordell Bongo Television film
Ice Dr. Norman Kistler Television film
1999 Final Run Reddick, Train Control Supervisor Television film
2001 Andy Warhol: The Complete Picture Himself Television documentary
2002 Justice League Music Master Voice, episode: "Legends"[18]
He Sees You When You're Sleeping Hans Kramer Television film
2003 Betty - Schon wie der Tod Georg Wasserberg Television film
2004 The Batman Bert Voice, episode: "Q&A"[18]
30 Days Until I'm Famous Barry Davis Television film
2005 3 Wild Angels Richard Voss 4 episodes
Masters of Horror Bellinger Episode: "Cigarette Burns"
2005–2007 4 Against Z Zanrelot 41 episodes
2006 Alfredissimo! - Kochen mit Bio Himself - Cook Episode: "Spaghetti mit Kokosmilch, Zitronengras und Garnelen/Thunfisch in Sesamkruste"
Polizeiruf 110 Heinrich Zermahlen Episode: "Mit anderen Augen"
13 Graves Debro Television film
2010 Chuck Otto Van Vogel Episode: "Chuck Versus the Role Models"
2010–2013 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Professor Pericles, Shadowy Figure Voices, 17 episodes
2011 Borgia Pope Innocent VIII 3 episodes
2013–2014 Beware the Batman Mister Toad Voice, 4 episodes[18]
2014 Hubertusjagd Himself Episode: "Los Angeles"
2015 Altes Geld Rauchensteiner / Rolf / Father 9 episodes
Axe Cop Warden Voice, episode: "Heads Will Roll"
Major Lazer Head Vampire Vampire Voice, episode: "Vampire Weekend"
Golan the Insatiable Dylan Beekler's Backpack Voice, episode: "Pilot"
2017 Funny or Die Presents Admiral Codi Episode: "Storm: A Star Wars Indie"
2019 M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Morder Mann im Fuchspelz 6 episodes
2022 Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin Klaus 2 episodes
2023 Hunters Adolf Hitler 6 episodes

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Adventures of Pinocchio Lorenzini Voice
2000 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 Yuri, PsyCorps
2001 Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge Yuri
2008 1 1/2 Knights: In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde Count Luipold Trumpf Voice
2017 Call of Duty: WWII Dr. Peter Straub Voice
2022 Martha is Dead Erich Voice
TBA OD TBA Voice and likeness

Music videos

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Interview With An Icon: Udo Kier Discusses His Career And Latest Projects!". Iconvsicon.com. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Iron Sky: Interview with Udo Kier | Electric Sheep – Features, essays & interviews from the mavericks of the film world". Electricsheepmagazine.co.uk. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  3. ^ Role in "Epidemic" and DVD commentary from Lars von Trier
  4. ^ Rose, Steve (16 April 2002). "His satanic majesty". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  5. ^ Barlow, Helen (6 March 2019). "Udo Kier on 'M – A City Hunts a Murderer', 'Dragged Across Concrete', and Being a Survivor". Collider.
  6. ^ "Udo Kier - von Andy Warhol zu den Space-Nazis".
  7. ^ a b ahillis at (30 July 2011). "GreenCine Daily: INTERVIEW: Udo Kier". Daily.greencine.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  8. ^ Vatnsdal, Caelum (4 January 2011). "Udo Kier | Film". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  9. ^ Wyatt, Mark; LaMarche, Bert. "Udo Kier – Movies". Filmsandtv.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Armageddon Times, Movie Tickets, and Theaters – Zap2it". Zap2it. 1 July 1998. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Movies We Love: Armageddon". Film School Rejects. 1 April 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  12. ^ Guilbert, Georges-Claude (2002). Madonna as Postmodern Myth. Jefferson: McFarland & Co. p. 69. ISBN 0-7864-1408-1.
  13. ^ "Network for European Documentary Professionals". reelisor. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Piece #1 – ME – UDO / starring Udo Kier / a Western Road Movie". New York Festivals. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  15. ^ Bromberger, Brian (3 August 2021). "Udo Kier on his 50-year career and 'Swan Song'". The Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  16. ^ Seibold, Witney (2 October 2012). "I Die With Open Eyes: Udo Kier on Iron Sky". CraveOnline. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Udo Kier | Actor | Hollywood". Palm Springs Life. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  18. ^ a b c d "Udo Kier (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 4 October 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

Further reading

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  • Tons May. "The Other Face of Love: Udo Kier's Career in the Erotic Genre" in Jack Stevenson (ed), Fleshpot: Cinema's Sexual Myth Makers and Taboo Breakers. Manchester: Critical Vision/Headpress, 2002, pp. 141–58 and "Udo Speaks: An Interview with Udo Kier" in same volume, pp. 159–62.
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