Udo Kier

Udo Kerspe, professionally known as Udo Kier, is a remarkable German actor, primarily recognized as a character actor. With a career that spans more than five decades, he has featured in over 220 films across Europe and the Americas, impressively switching between leading roles and supporting ones. His portfolio includes collaborative projects with lauded filmmakers including 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. Born in Cologne amid the chaos of World War II, Kier had a challenging early life. The hospital where he was born was bombed by the Allied forces just moments after his birth, leading to his dramatic rescue from the rubble. Kier moved to London at 18 to learn English.

In 1966, his acting career kicked off with the film 'Road to St. Tropez', and he later gained fame from starring in Andy Warhol's 'Frankenstein' in 1973. Kier became well-known for his involvement in a range of art-house, low-budget, and mainstream horror films, often featuring in vampire-themed movies like 'Die Einsteiger' (1985), 'Blade' (1998), and 'Shadow of the Vampire' (2000). He stood out for his work with cult directors, and has featured in almost all of Lars von Trier's films since 'Epidemic' in 1987. Notable Hollywood appearances include 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective', 'Armageddon', and 'The Adventures of Pinocchio'. Kier also took part in Madonna's controversial 1992 book 'Sex' and starred in the music videos for her songs 'Erotica' and 'Deeper and Deeper'. His voice acting career includes roles in 'Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2', 'Justice League', and 'Call of Duty: WWII'. Openly gay, Kier moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.