German Arthouse Trailblazer Dies at Age 81

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Udo Kier, a well-known and highly respected German actor famous for his work in art house films, has died at the age of 81. His partner, Delbert McBride, told Variety that he passed away on Sunday morning.

Throughout a career spanning over sixty years in film and television, Kier established himself as a leading figure in experimental and independent cinema. He appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, earning a reputation for taking risks and working with many renowned directors.

For many years, he was a frequent collaborator with director Lars von Trier, forming a well-known actor-director partnership in European cinema. He starred in several of von Trier’s films and series, including Epidemic, Europa, Breaking the Waves, Dogville, Melancholia, and Nymphomaniac: Vol. II. They were particularly celebrated for their work on Dancer in the Dark, which earned the prestigious Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Early in his career, Kier worked extensively with the renowned German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He appeared in films such as The Stationmaster’s Wife, The Third Generation, and Lili Marleen, which established him as a recognized actor throughout Europe.

Kier’s career in American movies started after meeting director Gus Van Sant at the Berlin Film Festival. He often credited Van Sant with helping him obtain his first work permit and union card in the U.S. Van Sant then cast him in the 1991 film My Own Private Idaho, alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, which brought Kier to the attention of a larger American audience.

Kier has been consistently working as an actor. Recently, he appeared in the film The Secret Agent directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, a performance that won Wagner Moura the Best Actor award at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

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2025-11-24 09:44