German actor Udo Kier, who worked with Andy Warhol and Madonna, has died at age 81.
Kier passed away on Sunday morning, his partner Delbert McBride shared.
He was well-known for appearing in Paul Morrissey films Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), which were both produced by Warhol.
That following years decades saw him continue his career in Europe, where he worked with writer-director Rainer Werner Fassbinder on The Stationmaster’s Wife (1977), The Third Generation (1979) and Lili Marleen (1981).
The actor met director Gus Van San at the Berlin Film Festival and credited him helping him obtain an American work permit and SAG card, according to Variety.
He went on to star in 1991’s My Own Private Idaho, appearing alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
German actor Udo Kier, who worked with Andy Warhol and Madonna, has died at age 81; pictured in 2019
Pictured with Tracy Tweed (L) and Falconer Abraham (R) in 1995’s Johnny Mnemonic
Pictured in 1999’s The New Adventures of Pinocchio
Kier began collaborating with Lars von Trier in the late 80s, starting with the horror-comedy Epidemic.
He went on to appear in 1991’s psychological drama period film Europa, and then several episodes of the horror-thriller series The Kingdom, which lasted through 90s and early 2000s.
The two also worked together on Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Nicole Kidman-led Dogville, Kirsten Dunst-led Melancholia, and 2013’s Nymphomaniac: Vol. II.
Kier’s repetoire additionally includes roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Armageddon, Blade, and Madonna’s 1992 coffee table book Sex.
His illustrious career also included appearances in the singer’s Erotica and Deeper and Deeper music videos.
The actor’s career was active as recently as this year, as he appeared in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, whose lead Wagner Moura won Best Actor at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
He was well-known for appearing in Paul Morrissey films Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (pictured in 1974), which were both produced by Warhol
Pictured in Flesh for Frankenstein
The longtime entertainer, full name was Udo Kierspe, was born in Cologne, Germany on October 14, 1944.
At age 18 he moved to London after meeting future collaborator Fassbinder in a bar.
Just last year, looking back on his life, he told Variety, ‘I liked the attention, so I became an actor.’
His career saw him travel between Europe and the United States for years before he eventually put down roots in Los Angeles and Palm Springs.
According to the outlet, he resided in a former mid-century library and took up art, architecture and collecting.
