Despite these hardships, Kier discovered a passion for performance at a young age. He moved to London to study English and was discovered in a coffee shop, an encounter that led to the start of his acting career.
His breakout role came in the 1970 horror classic Mark of the Devil, and he quickly became known for playing villains, monsters, and other darkly memorable characters — from vampires to Nazis.
Kier’s career was often shaped by chance. He famously sat next to director Paul Morrissey on a plane, which led to his casting in Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), both produced by Andy Warhol.
Handsome and magnetic, Udo seemed destined to become the teen sex symbol of the seventies, if only he hadn’t mostly starred in tame American films that were suitable for viewers under 17.
His collaborations with European auteurs like Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Lars von Trier, and Dario Argento cemented his reputation as a fearless, iconic character actor. He appeared in Fassbinder films such as The Stationmaster’s Wife, Lola, The Third Generation, and Lili Marleen, and in von Trier projects including Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, Melancholia, and Nymphomaniac: Vol. II. Kier was also godfather to von Trier’s child.
Break in Hollywood
In Hollywood, Kier became a familiar face in both major blockbusters and cult favorites. He appeared in My Own Private Idaho, which led to collaborations with Madonna in her book Sex and several of her music videos.
Other notable American films include Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, JohnnContinue reading…
