by Abb Jones
The Reelness

Udo Kier, the German character actor and cult icon whose expansive body of work included collaborations with Andy Warhol, Gus Van Sant, Lars von Trier and Madonna, died Sunday morning in Palm Springs, California at the age of 81.

Of Kier’s more than 220 films, his breakout collaborations with producer Warhol – 1973’s Flesh for Frankenstein and 1974’s Blood for Dracula – are among his most celebrated. After two following decades of work throughout Europe, Kier met two-time Oscar-nominated director Gus Van Sant, who cast Kier in a supporting role in his 1991 coming-of-age drama My Own Private Idaho starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.

Kier also was a frequent collaborator with the controversial von Trier, appearing in Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, Melancholia and Nymphomaniac: Vol. II, in addition to his work in such Hollywood mainstream films as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Armageddon and Blade. He also appeared in two of pop superstar Madonna’s videos, “Erotica” and “Deeper And Deeper.”

In 2021, Kier starred in the wistful LGBTQ+ dramedy Swan Song, about a retired hairdresser who breaks out of his nursing home for a trip down memory lane after his former best friend and client dies. Blending comedy with heartfelt sorrow, it was among The Reelness’ 10 Best Movies of that year. Kier’s last film was the 2025 neo-noir historical political thriller The Secret Agent, which is Brazil’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film for the 2026 Oscars.

Kier is survived by his partner, artist Delbert McBride.