# Udo Kier

Udo Kierspe (born 14 October 1944), known professionally as Udo Kier, is a German actor. Known primarily as a character actor, he has appeared in more than 220 films in both leading and supporting roles throughout Europe and the Americas. He has collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as 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.

## Early life

Kier was born in Cologne near the end of World War II. The hospital where he was born was bombed by the invading Allied forces moments after his birth, and he and his mother had to be dug out of the rubble. Kier grew up without a father. In his youth, he was an altar boy and cantor. He moved to London, England, at the age of 18 to learn English.

## Career

In 1966, Kier was cast in the lead role for the film Road to St. Tropez. An early starring role in Andy Warhol's Frankenstein (1973) led to a string of art-house, low-budget, and mainstream horror films, including a number of vampire-themed pictures Die Einsteiger (1985), Blade (1998), Modern Vampires (1998), Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Dracula 3000 and BloodRayne (2005). He has also become famous for his work with cult directors, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Walerian Borowczyk, Gus Van Sant, Christoph Schlingensief, and Dario Argento (whose classic Suspiria (1977) he was featured in). He has appeared in almost all of Lars von Trier's films since 1987's Epidemic (with the exceptions of The Idiots, The Boss of it All, Antichrist and The House That Jack Built).
His most famous Hollywood roles include his appearance as Ron Camp in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Curly in Barb Wire, as a NASA flight psychologist in Armageddon, as the villainous Lorenzini in The Adventures of Pinocchio and 1999 sequel The New Adventures of Pinocchio, and as Ralfi in the film Johnny Mnemonic. In 1992, Kier appeared in Madonna's controversial book Sex. He also appeared in the music videos for Madonna's songs "Erotica" and "Deeper and Deeper", both taken from Madonna's 1992 album Erotica. Kier also appeared in the music videos for Korn's "Make Me Bad", Eve's "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", and "Die Schöne und das Biest" by defunct German band Rauhfaser.
He has also worked extensively as a voice actor, starring as the psychic Yuri (as well as the voice of the PsiCorps) in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and its expansion, Yuri's Revenge. He also voiced the Music Master in Justice League, Herbert Ziegler in The Batman, Ivan Bahn in Metropia, Professor Pericles in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Mister Toad in Beware the Batman, Warden in Axe Cop, Head Vampire Vampire in Major Lazer, Dylan Beekler's Backpack in Golan the Insatiable and Dr. Peter Straub in Call of Duty: WWII.
A documentary on his life and career entitled ICH-UDO...der Schauspieler Udo Kier (ME –UDO...the actor Udo Kier) was filmed for Arte, the European Franco-German culture channel, and released in 2012. In 2013, the documentary won the New York Festival "Finalist Certificate". Another documentary entitled Udo Kier - Dracula trash et dandy magnétique was released by Jobst Knigge (Germany, 2024, 52 min.) and broadcast by Arte France in early November 2024 celebrating his 80th anniversary.

## Personal life

Kier is gay, and has been open about his homosexuality his entire life. "No one ever asked about my sexuality. Maybe it was obvious, but it didn't make any difference because all that mattered was the role I was playing. As long as I did a good job on the part, no one cared about my sexuality."
He moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1966 | Road to Saint Tropez | Boy | Short film |
| 1968 | Shameless [de] | Alexander Pohlmann | |
| 1969 | La stagione dei sensi [it] | Luca | |
| 1970 | Mark of the Devil | Count Christian von Meruh | |
| 1971 | Oi Erotomaneis | Tonis Theodorou | |
| 1971 | Provocation | Angelos | |
| 1971 | Anilikes amartoles | | |
| 1972 | The Salzburg Connection | Anton | |
| 1973 | Flesh for Frankenstein | Baron von Frankenstein | |
| 1973 | Pan | Pilgrim of Death | |
| 1974 | Blood for Dracula | Count Dracula | |
| 1975 | The Last Word | Raimund | |
| 1975 | Story of O | René | |
| 1976 | Exposé | Paul Martin | |
| 1976 | Goldflocken [fr] | Franzl | |
| 1976 | Spermula | Werner | |
| 1977 | Suspiria | Dr. Frank Mandel | Uncredited |
| 1977 | Belcanto oder Darf eine Nutte schluchzen? | Poulailler | |
| 1978 | The Fifth Commandment | Peter Dümmel | |
| 1979 | The Third Generation | Edgar Gast | |
| 1979 | Hungarian Rhapsody | Poór | |
| 1980 | Narcissus and Psyche | Laci Tóth | |
| 1980 | Lulu | Jack the Ripper | |
| 1981 | Docteur Jekyll et les femmes | Dr. Henry Jekyll | |
| 1981 | Lola | Waiter | Uncredited; also production designer |
| 1981 | Lili Marleen | Drewitz | |
| 1983 | The Island of the Bloody Plantation [de] | Hermano | |
| 1983 | The Roaring Fifties | Fromm | |
| 1983 | Pankow '95 | Johann Wolfgang Amadeus Zart | |
| 1984 | Moscow on the Hudson | Gay Man on Street | Uncredited cameo |
| 1985 | The Invincible | Argon | |
| 1985 | Seduction: The Cruel Woman | Gregor | |
| 1985 | Die Einsteiger [de] | Graf Frackstein | |
| 1986 | Egomania – Insel ohne Hoffnung | Baron Tante Teufel | |
| 1987 | Epidemic | Himself | |
| 1988 | Another Way: D-Kikan-Joho | Hansman | |
| 1988 | Mother's Mask | Herr Seidler | |
| 1989 | 100 Jahre Adolf Hitler – Die letzte Stunde im Führerbunker | Adolf Hitler | |
| 1990 | Das deutsche Kettensägenmassaker | Jonny | Also assistant director |
| 1991 | My Own Private Idaho | Hans | |
| 1991 | Europa | Lawrence Hartmann | |
| 1992 | Terror 2000 – Intensivstation Deutschland | Jablo | |
| 1993 | Josh and S.A.M. | Salon Manager | |
| 1993 | For Love or Money | Mr. Himmelman | |
| 1993 | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | Commercial Director | |
| 1993 | Three Shake-a-Leg Steps to Heaven | Edouard Müllendorf | |
| 1994 | Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | Ron Camp | |
| 1994 | Rotwang muß weg! [de] | Arthur Eigenrauch | |
| 1995 | Schmetterling im Dunkeln | Himself | Documentary short |
| 1995 | A Trick of Light | Max Skladanowsky | |
| 1995 | Johnny Mnemonic | Ralfi | |
| 1995 | Ausgestorben | York Cortex | Short film |
| 1995 | Over My Dead Body | Killer | |
| 1995 | Paradise Framed | Himself | |
| 1995 | Extinct | York Cortex | Short film |
| 1995 | Dog Daze | Erich von Stroheim | Short film |
| 1996 | United Trash | UNO-General Werner Brenner | |
| 1996 | Barb Wire | Curly | |
| 1996 | Breaking the Waves | Sadistic Sailor | |
| 1996 | Lea | Block | |
| 1996 | The Adventures of Pinocchio | Lorenzini | |
| 1997 | The End of Violence | Zoltan Kovacs | |
| 1997 | Betty | Vincent Lord | |
| 1997 | Prince Valiant | Sligon | |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Psychologist | |
| 1998 | There's No Fish Food in Heaven | Rocky | |
| 1998 | Blade | Gitano Dragonetti | |
| 1998 | Life in the Fast Lane | Rocky | |
| 1998 | Stingers | | |
| 1998 | Schuldig | | |
| 1998 | Immaculate Springs | Hans | |
| 1999 | End of Days | Dr. Abel | |
| 1999 | History Is Made at Night | Ivan Bliniak | |
| 1999 | Besat | Vincent | |
| 1999 | The Debtors | | |
| 1999 | Unter den Palmen | Ludwig | |
| 1999 | The New Adventures of Pinocchio | Madame Flambeau / Lorenzini | |
| 2000 | Citizens of Perpetual Indulgence | | |
| 2000 | Shadow of the Vampire | Albin Grau | |
| 2000 | Dancer in the Dark | Dr. Porkorny | |
| 2000 | Red Letters | George Kessler | |
| 2000 | Just One Night | Walter Lert | |
| 2000 | Doomsdayer | Max Gast | |
| 2000 | Simon Says | Stuart Moss | |
| 2001 | Critical Mass | Samson | |
| 2001 | Invincible | Count Helldorf | |
| 2001 | Double Deception | Vincent | |
| 2001 | Die Gottesanbeterin | | |
| 2001 | Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 | The Guardian | |
| 2001 | All the Queen's Men | General Landssdorf | |
| 2001 | Revelation | Grand Master | |
| 2002 | Auf Herz und Nieren | Doc | |
| 2002 | Broken Cookies | | Director |
| 2002 | FeardotCom | Polidori | |
| 2002 | Mrs Meitlemeihr | Hitler / Mrs. Meitlemeihr | Short film |
| 2002 | Pigs Will Fly | Onkel Max | |
| 2003 | 10 Schritte | Himself | Short film |
| 2003 | Dogville | The Man in the Coat | |
| 2003 | Love Object | Radley | |
| 2003 | Gate to Heaven | Joachim Nowak | |
| 2004 | Celluloid Horror | Himself | Documentary |
| 2004 | Paranoia 1.0 | Derrick | |
| 2004 | Jargo | Jargos Vater | |
| 2004 | Sawtooth | Reverend Cain | |
| 2004 | Modigliani | Max Jacob | |
| 2004 | Evil Eyes | George | |
| 2004 | Dracula 3000 | Captain Varna | |
| 2004 | Surviving Christmas | Heinrich | |
| 2005 | Children of Wax | P. | |
| 2005 | Headspace | Rev. Karl Hartman | |
| 2005 | One More Round | Lance Wallace | |
| 2005 | Wit's End | The Stranger | |
| 2005 | Manderlay | Mr. Kirspe | |
| 2005 | BloodRayne | Regal Monk | |
| 2006 | Pray for Morning | Edouard Leopold Edu | |
| 2006 | Holly | Klaus | |
| 2006 | Crusade in Jeans | Dr. Lawerence | |
| 2007 | Children of Wax | P | |
| 2007 | Fall Down Dead | Picasso Killer / Aaron Garvey | Also associate producer |
| 2007 | Grindhouse | Franz Hess | Segment: "Werewolf Women of the SS" |
| 2007 | Halloween | Morgan Walker | |
| 2007 | Tell | Hermann Gessler | |
| 2007 | The Mother of Tears | Father Johannes | |
| 2007 | Pars: Operation Cherry | Klaus Kayman | |
| 2008 | Far Cry | Dr. Lucas Krieger | |
| 2008 | 1½ Knights – In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde | Luipold Trumpf | |
| 2009 | Lulu and Jimi | Schultz | |
| 2009 | House of Boys | Madame | |
| 2009 | Soul Kitchen | Herr Jung | |
| 2009 | Metropia | Ivan Bahn | Voice |
| 2009 | Tattoos: A Scarred History | Himself | Documentary |
| 2009 | My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? | Lee Meyers | |
| 2010 | Das Leben ist zu lang [de] | Tabatabai | |
| 2011 | Die Blutgräfin | | |
| 2011 | Keyhole | Dr. Lemke | |
| 2011 | Graf Karpatovicz and the Blonde Bite | Graf Karpatovicz | Short film |
| 2011 | The Sky Has Four Corners | Graf Karpatovicz | |
| 2011 | Gorunmeyen | Bartok | |
| 2011 | Melancholia | Wedding Planner | |
| 2011 | The Theatre Bizarre | Peg Poett | |
| 2011 | UFO in Her Eyes | Steve Frost | |
| 2011 | The Berlin Project | Guru | |
| 2012 | Iron Sky | Wolfgang Kortzfleisch | |
| 2012 | Unlocking Passages | The Actor | Short film |
| 2013 | Night of the Templar | Father Paul | |
| 2013 | Heather's Dream | Doctor | Short film |
| 2013 | The Girl behind the White Picket Fence | The Shaman / The Doctor | |
| 2013 | Nymphomaniac | The Waiter | |
| 2014 | Arteholic | Himself | Documentary |
| 2014 | Beethoven's Treasure Tail | The Real Fritz Bruchschnauser | |
| 2014 | The Editor | Dr. Casini | |
| 2015 | Coconut Hero | Mr. Morrow (Therapist) | |
| 2015 | Get Well Soon: It's Love | Man | Short film |
| 2015 | Johnny Walker | Fyodor | Voice |
| 2015 | Shanzo (Teaser) | Jago | Short film |
| 2015 | The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin | Himself | Documentary |
| 2015 | The Forbidden Room | Count Yugh / The Butler / The Dead Father / Guard / Pharmacist | |
| 2015 | Zero | The Lord of the World | |
| 2016 | Courier X | Nathan Vogel | |
| 2016 | Seances | Actor | Short film |
| 2016 | Brother | Frank Solek | |
| 2017 | Downsizing | Joris Konrad | |
| 2017 | Hitler's Hollywood | Narrator (USA version) | Voice Documentary |
| 2017 | Brawl in Cell Block 99 | Placid Man | |
| 2018 | American Animals | Mr. Van Der Hoek | |
| 2018 | Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot | George | |
| 2018 | Daughter of Mine | Bruno | |
| 2018 | Ulysses: A Dark Odyssey | Alcyde | |
| 2018 | Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich | André Toulon | |
| 2018 | Dragged Across Concrete | Friedrich | |
| 2018 | The Mountain | Frederick | |
| 2019 | American Exit | Anton | |
| 2019 | Iron Sky: The Coming Race | Wolfgang Kortzfleisch | |
| 2019 | Holy Beasts | Henry | |
| 2019 | Bacurau | Michael | |
| 2019 | The Painted Bird | Miller | |
| 2019 | The Barefoot Emperor | Dr. Otto Kroll | |
| 2019 | Skin Walker | Claus | |
| 2020 | Last Moment of Clarity | Ivan | |
| 2021 | Haymaker | Furst | |
| 2021 | The Blazing World | Lained | |
| 2021 | Swan Song | Pat Pitsenbarger | |
| 2021 | Chompy & The Girls | Chompy | Voice |
| 2021 | 13 Tracks to Frighten Agatha Black | Opening Narration | Voice |
| 2022 | A E I O U: A Quick Alphabet of Love | Michel | |
| 2022 | Bad Painter | O | |
| 2022 | My Neighbor Adolf | Mr. Herzog | |
| 2025 | By Design | Aldo Fabbri | |
| TBA | The Ark: An Iron Sky Story | Grand Master | Post-production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1973 | Sonderdezernat K1 | Harry Gätjens | Episode: "Kassensturz um Mitternacht" |
| 1973 | Joseph Balsamo [fr] | Gilbert | 3 episodes |
| 1977 | The Stationmaster's Wife [de] | Schafftaler | Television film, Also assistant director |
| 1980 | Berlin Alexanderplatz | Young Man in the Bar | 2 episodes |
| 1986 | Der Fahnder | Uli Weber | Episode: "Ein König ohne Reich" |
| 1986 | Kir Royal | Holger | Episode: "Adieu Clairef" |
| 1988 | Medea | Jason | Television film |
| 1992 | Tod eines Weltstars | Weltstar Udo Kier | Television film |
| 1993 | Red Shoe Diaries | Fashion Designer | Episode: "Runaway" |
| 1993 | Seaquest DSV | Dr. Guy Peche | Episode "Give me Liberté" |
| 1993 | Udo Kier - From A to A | Himself | Television film documentary |
| 1993 | Jack Reed: Badge of Honor | Giles Marquette | Television film |
| 1994 | Doppelter Einsatz | König | Episode "Feuerzauber" |
| 1994–1997, 2022 | The Kingdom | Åge Krüger (human disguise for Satan) Frederik/Little Brother/Big Brother (the Antichrist) | 8 episodes |
| 1996 | Tracey Takes On... | Klaus | Episode "Death" |
| 1996 | Nash Bridges | Wolfgang Herzog | Episode "Aloha Nash" |
| 1996, 1999 | The Sentinel | Klaus Zeller | 2 episodes |
| 1996, 2009 | Tatort | Beethoven / Hans-Rudi Dreher | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Viper | Erich Geiger | Episode "Double Team" |
| 1998 | V.I.P. | Viktor Balek | Episode "What to Do with Vallery When You're Deam" |
| 1998 | Modern Vampires | Vincent | Television film |
| 1998 | Miss Diamond | Buhler | Television film |
| 1998 | Nina - Vom Kinderzimmer ins Bordell | Bongo | Television film |
| 1998 | Ice | Dr. Norman Kistler | Television film |
| 1999 | Final Run | Reddick, Train Control Supervisor | Television film |
| 2001 | Andy Warhol: The Complete Picture | Himself | Television documentary |
| 2002 | Justice League | Music Master | Voice, episode: "Legends" |
| 2002 | He Sees You When You're Sleeping | Hans Kramer | Television film |
| 2003 | Betty - Schon wie der Tod | Georg Wasserberg | Television film |
| 2004 | The Batman | Bert | Voice, episode: "Q&A" |
| 2004 | 30 Days Until I'm Famous | Barry Davis | Television film |
| 2005 | 3 Wild Angels | Richard Voss | 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Masters of Horror | Bellinger | Episode: "Cigarette Burns" |
| 2005–2007 | 4 Against Z | Zanrelot | 41 episodes |
| 2006 | Alfredissimo! - Kochen mit Bio | Himself - Cook | Episode: "Spaghetti mit Kokosmilch, Zitronengras und Garnelen/Thunfisch in Sesamkruste" |
| 2006 | Polizeiruf 110 | Heinrich Zermahlen | Episode: "Mit anderen Augen" |
| 2006 | 13 Graves | Debro | Television film |
| 2010 | Chuck | Otto Van Vogel | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Role Models" |
| 2010–2013 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Professor Pericles, Shadowy Figure | Voices, 17 episodes |
| 2011 | Borgia | Pope Innocent VIII | 3 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Beware the Batman | Mister Toad | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2014 | Hubertusjagd | Himself | Episode: "Los Angeles" |
| 2015 | Altes Geld | Rauchensteiner / Rolf / Father | 9 episodes |
| 2015 | Axe Cop | Warden | Voice, episode: "Heads Will Roll" |
| 2015 | Major Lazer | Head Vampire Vampire | Voice, episode: "Vampire Weekend" |
| 2015 | Golan the Insatiable | Dylan Beekler's Backpack | Voice, episode: "Pilot" |
| 2017 | Funny or Die Presents | Admiral Codi | Episode: "Storm: A Star Wars Indie" |
| 2019 | M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Morder | Mann im Fuchspelz | 6 episodes |
| 2022 | Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin | Klaus | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Hunters | Adolf Hitler | 6 episodes |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1996 | The Adventures of Pinocchio | Lorenzini | Voice |
| 2000 | Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 | Yuri, PsyCorps | |
| 2001 | Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge | Yuri | |
| 2008 | 1 1/2 Knights: In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde | Count Luipold Trumpf | Voice |
| 2017 | Call of Duty: WWII | Dr. Peter Straub | Voice |
| 2022 | Martha is Dead | Erich | Voice |
| TBA | OD | TBA | Voice and Likeness |

### Music videos

* Madonna: Erotica (1992) - Partyguest
* Madonna - Deeper and Deeper (1992) - Lover
* Goo Goo Dolls: Naked (1996) - Himself
* Supertramp: You Win, I Lose (1997) - Partyguest
* Rauhfaser: Die Schone und das Biest (1999) - Der Freier
* Korn: Make Me Bad (2000) - Himself
* Eve feat. Gwen Stefani: Let Me Blow Ya Mind (2001) - Partyguest
* RMB: Deep Down Below (2001) - Dr. Wagner
* Terranova: Prayer (2012) - Himself - Musician