German actor Udo Kier, celebrated for his magnetic presence in both arthouse and mainstream cinema, has died at the age of 81 in Palm Springs, California, according to Variety.
Kier, whose career spanned more than five decades, appeared in hundreds of films, captivating audiences with his distinctive looks and theatrical intensity. He gained fame in the 1970s for cult portrayals of Frankenstein and Dracula, working with legends such as Andy Warhol and Rainer Werner Fassbinder.
Renowned for his dedication to roles, Kier once restricted his diet to salad leaves and water for a week to rapidly lose weight for his Dracula role, reportedly spending time in a wheelchair due to weakness.
The actor frequently collaborated with Danish director Lars von Trier, appearing in films such as Manderlay and the erotic art film Nymphomaniac (2013). He also embraced Hollywood, playing memorable villains and eccentric characters in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Armageddon, and Blade.
Born Udo Kierspe in Cologne in 1944, he survived an Allied air raid that hit his hospital at birth and grew up amid postwar austerity. He later moved to London at 18 to study English, eventually working across Europe and the U.S. before settling in Los Angeles and later Palm Springs.
Known for his flamboyant personality and love of nightlife, Kier once remarked, “I liked the attention. That’s why I became an actor.”
He passed away in Palm Springs, confirmed by his partner, artist Delbert McBride. No cause of death has been reported.
Kier leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances that bridged the worlds of underground cinema and Hollywood blockbusters.
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