UDO KIER

Udo Kier was born in 1944 in Cologne. His first “hit” film was 1970’s Mark of the Devil. The film was promoted for being Rated V for Violence and was banned in 31 Countries. The uncut version was remastered and rereleased on video in 1997. Playing the lead role in the 3-D Flesh for Frankenstein followed by Blood for Dracula Udo Kier became a cult figure. In the 1970’s and 1980’s some of Kier’s work included: The Story of O, Spermula, The Salzburg Connection, House on Straw Hill , Superia (Dario Argento), Lilli Marleen, Escape from Blood Plantation, Seduction: The Cruel Woman, LuLu and The Blood of Dr Jekyll. In the 1990’s Kier had his breakthrough in America as Hans in My Own Private Idaho. The film’s soundtrack includes a song that Udo performs in the film. Even Cowgirls get the Blues and Johnny Mnemonic reunited Kier with his friend Keanu Reeves again. He was cast as Pamela Lee’s sidekick in Barbed Wire and played the millionaire in Ace Ventura opposite Jim Carrey. Other films Udo Kier has been in are: The Kingdom 1 & 2, For Love or Money, Breaking the Waves, The Adventures of Pinnochio, Medea, Blade and Armageddon.

Over the span of his 30 year career, Udo Kier has worked with several brilliant directors like: Paul Morrisey, R. W. Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, Charles Matton, Dario Argento, Lars Von Trier, Gus Van Sant, and Walerian Boroczyk. Udo Kier lives in California, spending much of his time working in Europe. In 2006 Udo Kier also played in Dario Argento’s last film of his “Three Mothers- Trilogy“, which was shot in Italy under the title Mother of Tears.