Udo Kier, the acclaimed German actor whose career spanned over 275 roles across Hollywood and European cinema, died on Sunday morning in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 81. He garnered praise for his ability to cross genres. His groundbreaking work in film was notable. Outside of film, he was instrumental in the development of television, music videos, and video games.
Kier’s career started on the heels of adversity. Cast adrift at birth, he was born into a complicated family situation in postwar Germany. After a childhood without running water or electricity, he later quipped, “We didn’t have hot water until I was 17.” His father’s clandestine marriage and the consequent—notably, academic—impoverishment of Montalvo’s early life left deep impressions. To overcome his own hard situations, he toiled in a factory as a young adult. That’s why he was adamant about earning his own money to fund his dreams.
At 16, while frequenting a working-class bar in Cologne, Kier forged a friendship with future film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who was just 15 years old at the time. This relationship would become crucial to Kier’s career as he would then go on to star in numerous other films by Fassbinder. During his career, he worked with esteemed filmmakers such as Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier. Von Trier always thought of Kier as a personal friend and went so far as to name him the godfather of his son.
Despite Kier’s versatility and the strength to make an indelible impression in every role, he was often called a character actor. He often reflected on the nature of his career, acknowledging its unpredictability: “I liked the attention, so I became an actor.” His roles ranged from small yet memorable parts in Hollywood blockbusters like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon, and Blade, to significant appearances in European cinema.
In spite of his tumultuous early years, Kier’s prodigious gifts lifted him to the heights. In fact, a talent scout discovered him in a café when he was studying English in London. This special find opened up an unexpected and amazing exploration of the art of acting. He was bracingly frank about the business of filmmaking. He said, “100 films are terrible, 50 of them you’ll watch with a glass of wine, and 50 of them are good.”
His influence went further than typical cinematic fare, appearing in music videos for musical acts ranging from Supertramp to Korn. Kier’s versatility and commitment to experimentation allowed him to become a multifaceted performer, who then went on to become a beloved figure in entertainment.
Kier’s remarkable legacy is undoubtedly defined by his memorable characters, but by the serendipitous encounters that dictated his path. He knew how to create a memorable first impression on audiences. He famously stated, “I would rather be a bad guy that everybody is afraid of than be on the sidelines, or a utility player, or go work at the goddamned post office and go home to my wife and kids. Audiences will remember you more.”