Udo Kier, Renowned German Actor, Passes Away at 81
Udo Kier, a prominent figure in German cinema, has died at the age of 81. Known for his standout performances in films like “Blood for Dracula” and “My Own Private Idaho,” Kier’s passing was confirmed by his partner, Delbert McBride, on Sunday morning.
According to longtime friend and photographer Michael Childers, Kier passed away at Eisenhower Hospital in Palm Springs, California. The specific cause of his death has not been disclosed.
“My heart is broken. Sad farewell to my great friend Udo Kier…rest in peace,” Childers shared, expressing the loss deeply felt by those close to him.
Over an impressive career that spanned decades, Kier appeared in over 250 films, both in Hollywood and Europe. He first gained significant recognition in the 1970s with Paul Morrissey’s “Flesh for Frankenstein” (1973) and “Blood for Dracula” (1974), both produced by the iconic Andy Warhol.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he continued to establish himself in European cinema, collaborating with famed director Rainer Werner Fassbinder on titles such as “The Stationmaster’s Wife,” “The Third Generation,” and “Lili Marlene.”
Kier also developed a fruitful partnership with Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier in the late 1980s, with their first collaboration being “Epidemic.” He later featured in von Trier’s “Europa” and his popular horror-thriller series “The Kingdom.”
They worked together on several acclaimed films including “Breaking the Waves,” “Dogville,” and “Melancholia.” It’s interesting to note that Kier met future Oscar nominee Gus Van Sant at the Berlin Film Festival, where he attributed his success in gaining a U.S. work permit and SAG card to him.
Kier’s breakthrough in American cinema occurred in 1991 when he took on a supporting role in Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho,” starring alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. In the 1990s, he secured memorable supporting roles in Hollywood hits like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Armageddon,” and “Blade.”
He also appeared in Madonna’s 1992 book “Sex,” and featured in her music videos for “Erotica” and “Deeper and Deeper.” Moreover, he made an appearance in the Korn music video for “Make Me Bad.”
Kier, born Udo Kjelspe on October 14, 1944, during World War II in Cologne, Germany, began his acting journey after moving to London at the age of 18, where he met Fassbinder in a bar. In a recent interview, he stated his motivation for becoming an actor stemmed from a desire for attention.
Throughout his career, Kier garnered various accolades, including the Cinemerite Award and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. His final film role was in the political thriller “The Secret Agent,” where he portrayed a Jewish Holocaust survivor during the last days of Brazil’s military dictatorship. It was also mentioned that he would appear in a new horror video game titled “OD,” produced by Jordan Peele.
