Udo Kier legendary German actor dies at 81
Legendary German actor Udo Kier has died at the age of 81, his long-time partner confirmed.
Born Udo Kierspe in Cologne in 1944, Kier survived a bombed-out hospital shortly after his birth. He moved to London as a young man, where he was discovered and began an acting career that spanned nearly six decades.
Kier’s breakout came through his work in avant-garde and horror films. He became widely known for starring in Andy Warhol–produced cult classics like Flesh for Frankenstein and Blood for Dracula. Over his prolific career, he appeared in more than 200 (some reports say more than 250) films across European art-house cinema and Hollywood.
Some of his best-known roles include appearances in Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho, Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and the Marvel world with Blade. He was also a frequent collaborator of Danish director Lars von Trier, featuring in films such as Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, Melancholia, Breaking the Waves, and Nymphomaniac.
In recent years, Kier continued to act with energy and purpose. His final film appearance was in the Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent.
He passed away on November 23, 2025, in Palm Springs, California, according to his partner, Delbert McBride. No cause of death has been announced publicly.
Kier’s unique presence his piercing blue eyes, his slightly otherworldly intensity him a beloved figure in cinema. He was never afraid to play the strange, the sinister, the supernatural.
His loss has been widely mourned by fans and industry figures alike, with some praising his ability to cross genres and generations.
