Iconic German Actor Udo Kier Dies at 81
Udo Kier, the German actor whose unique charisma and bold screen presence made him a beloved figure in both arthouse and Hollywood cinema, has passed away at the age of 81 in Palm Springs, California, Variety reports.
Kier’s career spanned more than five decades, with hundreds of film appearances in which he often stole scenes with his unmistakable intensity. He first rose to prominence in the 1970s through cult portrayals of Frankenstein and Dracula, collaborating with avant-garde icons such as Andy Warhol and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
Known for his pale features and theatrical flair, Kier became a staple of independent and underground cinema. He once revealed that he survived on only salad leaves and water for a week to shed 10 pounds for a Dracula role, leaving him so weak he had to use a wheelchair.
Kier also worked extensively with Danish director Lars von Trier, starring in films such as Manderlay, which explores the fictional story of a 1930s Alabama plantation still practicing slavery, and the 2013 erotic art film Nymphomaniac.
Yet Kier was equally at home in mainstream films, taking on memorable roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Armageddon, and Blade, often portraying stylish villains, eccentric characters, or otherworldly figures.
Born Udo Kierspe in Cologne in 1944, he survived an Allied air raid as an infant and grew up in postwar Germany. At 18, he moved to London to learn English, later traveling across Europe and the United States before settling in Los Angeles and then Palm Springs.
Kier’s flamboyant personality and love of nightlife were as legendary as his acting. “I liked the attention. That’s why I became an actor,” he once quipped.
He passed away in Palm Springs, according to Variety, which cited Kier’s partner, artist Delbert McBride. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Udo Kier leaves behind a legacy of bold performances and an unforgettable presence that continues to inspire actors and fans worldwide.
