The German actor also collaborated frequently with Lars Von Trier
By Sam Warner 24th November 2025
Udo Kier at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards. CREDIT: Getty/Matt Winkelmeyer
German actor Udo Kier, who was well known for starring in Hollywood films such as My Own Private Idaho as well as collaborations with artists such as Andy Warhol and Madonna, has died aged 81.
The star passed away on Sunday (November 23) in hospital in Palm Springs, his partner Delbert McBride told Variety.
In a prolific career spanning nearly 60 years, Kier also collaborated with a variety of directors, including Lars Von Trier, Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog.
His breakout role came in 1970’s Mark Of The Devil, where he played Count Christian von Meruh, before appearing in Andy Warhol’s Flesh For Frankenstein and Dracula in the 1970s.
The following decade saw his first collaboration with Von Trier in TV series Medea before going on to appear in the director’s films such Breaking The Waves, Dancer In The Dark and Melancholia over the next few decades.
Van Sant gave Kier his Hollywood breakout role in 1991’s My Own Private Idaho, which co-starred Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix, and he later went on to appear in US films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Blade and Armageddon.
He also worked with Madonna on her book Sex and appeared in a number of her music video, as well as those of artists such Korn and Eve.
Kier’s final credit is in The Secret Agent, in which he appears alongside Wagner Moura and is tipped to be a strong contender this awards season.
Speaking to NME in 2022, Kier reflected on his legacy, sharing: “I’ve made around 220 films. And I always say that 100 films are bad, 50 films you can enjoy with some good wine, and 50 films are good.
“Films aren’t good because of me as an actor. It’s the lighting, the director, the music, the script. There’s so many elements that all need to come together. That’s why I have more fun in independent films with [filmmakers like] Lars Von Trier and Gus Van Sant.”
