German Arthouse Icon Dies at 81

Udo Kier, the German actor known for his bold and experimental roles, has passed away at the age of 81. His partner, artist Delbert McBride, confirmed the news to Variety, saying Kier died Sunday morning.

Kier’s career spanned over six decades, and he appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows. He was widely recognized for his work in avant-garde and arthouse cinema and collaborated with some of the most respected directors of his generation. Among his most notable collaborations was his long-standing partnership with Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier. Kier starred in six of Von Trier’s films and a TV series, including the 2000 musical drama Dancer in the Dark, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Before gaining international fame, Kier worked extensively in Europe. He collaborated with the legendary German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder on films such as The Stationmaster’s Wife, The Third Generation, and Lili Marleen. Kier also formed an important connection with director Gus Van Sant at the Berlin Film Festival, who helped him get an American work permit and a SAG card. Van Sant introduced Kier to American audiences in the 1991 coming-of-age drama My Own Private Idaho, where Kier appeared alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.

Kier’s partnership with Von Trier lasted decades. He appeared in films like Epidemic, Europa, Breaking the Waves, Dogville, Melancholia, Nymphomaniac: Vol. II, and several episodes of Von Trier’s TV series The Kingdom. His most recent work included a role in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, which earned Wagner Moura the Best Actor award at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Kier leaves behind a legacy as one of the most daring and unique performers in modern cinema. He was known for bringing intensity and depth to every role, often pushing the boundaries of conventional acting.

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