German actor Udo Kier, known for his iconic roles in Blood for Dracula, Flesh for Frankenstein, My Own Private Idaho, and Blade, has died at the age of 81.
He passed away on Sunday morning in Palm Springs, California, according to his partner Delbert McBride. No cause of death has been released.
Born in Cologne in 1944, Kier survived WWII as a baby and went on to build a remarkable nearly 60-year career in film. He became a cult icon through early collaborations with directors like Rainer Werner Fassbinder and later worked with Lars von Trier, Gus Van Sant, Werner Herzog, and many others.
Appearing in more than 250 films, Kier moved between Hollywood productions and experimental cinema, earning a reputation for his intense presence and fearless, unconventional roles. He received renewed praise later in life for his lead performance in Swan Song (2021).