Udo Kier, a German actor known for his unique screen presence and a career spanning more than 250 films, has died at 81 at a hospital in Palm Springs, California, Euronews reported.
Kier was born in Cologne in 1944 and survived an air raid that destroyed the hospital shortly after his birth. As a young adult, he moved to London and began acting. He first gained attention in the 1970 horror film Mark of the Devil, which led to roles in Flesh for Frankenstein and Blood for Dracula, both associated with Andy Warhol.
Throughout his career, Kier worked with many prominent directors, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Dario Argento, Gus Van Sant, Werner Herzog and Lars von Trier. Von Trier often cast him in films like Europa, Breaking the Waves, Dogville and Melancholia. In the U.S., the actor appeared in movies like My Own Private Idaho, Blade, Armageddon and Downsizing. He was also featured in several music videos, including some with Madonna.
Kier’s last role was in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s «The Secret Agent,» which premiered at Cannes this year. The film earned his co-star Wagner Moura the festival’s Best Actor award.
