Udo Kier, German star of ‘My Own Private Idaho’ and Lars von Trier collaborator, dies at 81

by

Udo Kier, a well-known German actor with a long and varied career, has passed away at the age of 81. He appeared in everything from serious dramas by Lars von Trier to comedies like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and action films like “Blade.”

I was so shocked to hear that Kier has passed away. It feels like he was everywhere lately, always pushing boundaries with his films. His partner, Delbert McBride, confirmed the news to Variety this morning, but they haven’t shared what happened yet. It’s just really sad.

Throughout his long career, Kier appeared in over 200 movies and TV shows, but he was best known for his frequent work with director Lars von Trier. They first collaborated in 1987 on “Epidemic” and continued working together for over 25 years, most recently on the 2013 film “Nymphomaniac.” Kier also starred in several other Von Trier films, including “Dancer in the Dark” (with Björk), “Melancholia,” and “Breaking the Waves,” helping the director delve into difficult and often dark themes about the human experience.

Entertainment & Arts

Gary Mounfield, best known as the bassist for iconic British bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has passed away at the age of 63.

Throughout his career, Kier worked with many celebrated European directors, including Lars von Trier, Werner Herzog, Dario Argento, and his close friend, Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

As a film fanatic, I always loved Udo Kier. The guy just had a look – tall, striking, with these intense blue eyes – and he consistently played these wonderfully weird and often unsettling characters, especially in independent films. I first noticed him in Paul Morrissey’s ‘Blood for Dracula’ – seriously, an Andy Warhol-produced Dracula! – where he played a really desperate, almost pathetic Count. They worked together before that on ‘Flesh for Frankenstein,’ too. He seemed to be typecast as something otherworldly, and I remember enjoying his roles in films like ‘Blade’ and ‘Shadow of the Vampire,’ where he acted alongside Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich. He was just a fantastic presence in so many horror movies.

I recently revisited Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho,” and it’s still a remarkably powerful film. For those unfamiliar, this 1991 feature marked a significant role for Udo Kier, nearly three decades after he first gained attention in a 1966 short. It’s the movie that paired him with a young Keanu Reeves and the tragically lost River Phoenix. It’s become a true cult classic, celebrated for its honest and groundbreaking portrayal of sexuality and queer life. In fact, it’s so important culturally that the Library of Congress just added it to the National Film Registry for 2024 – a well-deserved honor.

Entertainment & Arts

Identical twins Ellen and Alice Kessler, both 89, died by assisted suicide on Monday. Throughout their careers as performers, they worked alongside entertainment legends like Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, and Fred Astaire.

While Kier was famous for his work in independent and artistic films, he also acted in popular movies like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Downsizing,” and “Armageddon.” More recently, he appeared in “Swan Song,” “Bacurau,” and “The Secret Agent,” which Brazil has submitted as its entry for the 2026 Academy Awards.

Kier appeared in many television shows and films, including Lars von Trier’s “Medea,” the horror series “The Kingdom,” and more recent programs like “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated,” “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin,” and “Hunters.”

Besides his work in TV and movies, Kier appeared in music videos for artists like Madonna (“Deeper and Deeper,” “Erotica”), the Goo Goo Dolls, Supertramp, and Korn. He also did voice work for several video games, including “Call of Duty: WWII,” and was planning a collaboration with Hideo Kojima on his new game, “OD.”

Born on October 14, 1944, Kier came into the world during a turbulent time – his hospital was actually being bombed during World War II, as reported by Variety. He was raised by his mother, as his father left before he was born. As a teenager, Kier formed a close friendship with filmmaker Fassbinder.

In the mid-1960s, Kier went to London to study English, but he was spotted and cast in “Road to Saint Tropez” instead. It was there he met Morrissey, who was working with Andy Warhol, and this connection sparked Kier’s long and successful career in film.

Kier called Palm Springs home and was a frequent attendee at the Palm Springs International Film Festival every year.

Read More

2025-11-25 00:35