Udo Kierspe (14 October 1944 – 23 November 2025), known professionally as Udo Kier, was a German actor.

Known primarily as a character actor who portrayed eccentric and deviant figures, he appeared in more than 220 films in both leading and supporting roles throughout Europe and the Americas. He collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Lars von Trier, Gus Van Sant, Werner Herzog, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Walerian Borowczyk, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Dario Argento, Tom Shadyac, Charles Matton, Guy Maddin, Alexander Payne, and Paul Morrissey.

Early life

Kier was born on 14 October 1944 in Cologne towards the end of World War II. The hospital where he was born was bombed by the invading Allied forces moments after his birth, and he and his mother had to be dug out of the rubble. Kier grew up without a father. In his youth, he was an altar boy and cantor. He moved to London, England, at the age of 18 to learn English.

Career

In 1966, Kier was cast in the lead role for the film Road to Saint Tropez. An early starring role in Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) led to a string of art-house, low-budget, and mainstream horror films, including a number of vampire-themed pictures Die Einsteiger (1985), Blade (1998), Modern Vampires (1998), Shadow of the Vampire (2000), Dracula 3000 (2004), and BloodRayne (2005). He also became famous for his work with cult directors, including Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Walerian Borowczyk, Gus Van Sant, Christoph Schlingensief, and Dario Argento (whose classic Suspiria (1977) he was featured in). He appeared in almost all of Lars von Trier's films beginning with 1987's Epidemic (with the exceptions of The Idiots, The Boss of it All, Antichrist, and The House That Jack Built).

His most famous Hollywood roles include his appearances as Ron Camp in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Curly in Barb Wire, a NASA flight psychologist in Armageddon, the villainous Lorenzini in The Adventures of Pinocchio and its' 1999 sequel The New Adventures of Pinocchio, and Ralfi in the film Johnny Mnemonic. In 1992, Kier appeared in Madonna's controversial book Sex. He also appeared in the music videos for Madonna's songs "Erotica" and "Deeper and Deeper", both taken from Madonna's 1992 album Erotica. Kier also appeared in the music videos for Korn's "Make Me Bad", Eve and Gwen Stefani's "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", and "Die Schöne und das Biest" by the defunct German band Rauhfaser.

Kier also worked extensively as a voice actor, starring as the psychic Yuri (as well as the voice of the PsiCorps) in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and its expansion, Yuri's Revenge. He also voiced the Music Master in Justice League, Herbert Ziegler in The Batman, Ivan Bahn in Metropia, Professor Pericles in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Mister Toad in Beware the Batman, Warden in Axe Cop, Head Vampire Vampire in Major Lazer, Dylan Beekler's Backpack in Golan the Insatiable, and Dr. Peter Straub in Call of Duty: WWII. He recently appeared in the video game trailer for the game OD, revealed at the Games Awards.

A documentary on Kier's life and career entitled ICH-UDO...der Schauspieler Udo Kier (ME –UDO...the actor Udo Kier) was filmed for Arte, the European Franco-German culture channel, and released in 2012. In 2013, the documentary won the New York Festival "Finalist Certificate". Another documentary entitled Udo Kier - Dracula trash et dandy magnétique was released by Jobst Knigge (Germany, 2024, 52 min.) and broadcast by Arte France in early November 2024 celebrating his 80th birthday.

Personal life and death

Kier was gay, and open about his homosexuality his entire life. He said, "No one ever asked about my sexuality. Maybe it was obvious, but it didn't make any difference because all that mattered was the role I was playing. As long as I did a good job on the part, no one cared about my sexuality."

Kier moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.

Kier died on 23 November 2025, at the age of 81, in a hospital in Palm Springs, according to his partner Delbert McBride.