Udo Kier German Cult Actor

Udo Kier was born October 14th 1944 in Koeln Germany during World War 2. His entrance in the world was just as dramatic as some of his roles. On the evening of his birth Udo’s mother requested extra time with her new baby. The nurses had gathered all of the other babies and returned them to the nursery when the hospital was bombed. He and his mother were rescued from underneath the rubble. Udo didn’t know much about his father.

When Udo was 18 he moved to Britian in order to learn the English Language. While he was there, he also took a few acting courses. During this time, he was offered a role by Director Mike Sarne as a gigolo in the film Road to Saint Tropez. While the role was small, this was the beginning of his career in films.

Udo’s first “hit” film was 1970’s Mark of the Devil. The film was promoted for being Rated V for Violence and it offered ticket buyers vomit bags on their way in to see the feature. Mark of the Devil was banned in 31 Countries and spawned 2 sequels (both without Udo). The film is notorious for it’s exploitation of sex and violence. The uncut version was remastered and rereleased on video in 1997.

Udo Kier met director Paul Morrissey on an airplane trip. Morrissey offered Kier the lead role in the 3-D Flesh for Frankenstein. It was Frankenstein along with it’s sister film Blood for Dracula that made Udo a cult figure. Both Morrissey films are also known as Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein and Dracula, however, Mr. Warhol was not involved in the production or creation of the films. Both films were Rated X when released.

One of Mr. Kier’s most vivid memories from Flesh for Frankenstein was the “internal organ scene”. Real animal organs were used that were left unrefridgerated on the set for several hours. Udo had pull the organs out of a prop dummy with his bare hands and hold them up to his face. He has said he will never forget that smell!

When Frankenstein was finished the cast and crew began immediately filming Blood for Dracula. Udo remembers both of these films fondly and prefers Dracula over Frankenstein as his favorite of the two. In 1996 both films were released by Criterion on DVD totally uncut.

In the 1970’s some of Kier’s work included: The Story of O, Spermula, The Salzburg Connection, and House on Straw Hill.Much of Kier’s work has been dubbed with someone else’s voice. In Suspiria there were some technical difficulties with the sound while his scene was shot.

In the 1980’s some of Kier’s work included: Lillie Marleen, Escape from Blood Plantation, Seduction: The Cruel Woman, LuLu, and The Blood of Dr Jekyll. In the 80’s Kier did very little work outside of Europe.

In the 1990’s Kier had a lot more visibility in America and his breakthrough role was as Hans in My Own Private Idaho. The film’s soundtrack includes the song that Udo performs in the film. Even Cowgirls get the Blues and Johnny Mneumonic reunited Kier with his friend Keanu Reeves yet again. Udo was cast as Pamela Lee’s sidekick in Barbed Wire and played the millionaire in Ace Ventura opposite Jim Carrey.

In the 90’s some of the films Udo has been in are: The Kingdom 1 & 2, For Love or Money, Breaking the Waves, The Adventures of Pinnochio, Medea, Blade, and Armageddon.

Over his 30 year career, Udo has worked with several brilliant directors: Paul Morrisey, Wim Wenders, Charles Matton, Dario Argento, Lars Von Trier, Gus Van Sant, and Walerian Boroczyk. Udo continues to work often with Von Trier and is the Godfather of his child as well as a good friend.

Von Trier is currently working on the film entitled Dimension which is a project that spans 30 years. Every year the cast and crew (including Udo) meet to shoot footage. The film will show the actors age 30 years without make up or special effects. Approximately 7 years of footage has already been shot. The premiere of Dimension will take place in 2024!

Kier’s acting career ranges from Art House Films (Zentropa) to Gore Fests (German Chainsaw Massacre) to television commercials. He says he loves horror films and wants to do more of them. Udo enjoys playing villians as he feels it is more interesting because evil has no limititations. Currently Udo lives in California and spends much of his time working in Europe where he receives largers roles and more recognition.