Udo Kier: life and career of the legendary actor and singer
24 november 2025 в 19:13
Udo Kier left his legacy in the entertainment industry. The 81-year-old, known for his performances in the 1973 film «Flesh for Frankenstein» and the 1974 film «Blood for Dracula», - passed away on November 23, 2025. Known for his ambitious character and extensive body of work, the late German actor’s partner from Cologne, Delbert Mcbride, confirmed his death.
Below, Hollywood Life remembers Kier for his life and career. Here are five facts about him.
Kier was actually born under the name Udo Kierspe. He used «Kier» as his stage name.
The late star of «Ace Ventura: Pet Detective» was born at the height of World War II in 1944 in Cologne, Germany. Bombings hit the hospital just hours after his mother gave birth to him. They both had to be rescued from the rubble, Kier told The Guardian in 2002.
As an openly gay man, Kier said he never tried to hide his sexuality. During a 2021 interview with The Bay Area Reporter, Kier said, «no one ever asked» about his personal life.
«Maybe it was obvious, but it didn’t matter because all that mattered was the role I played», - he explained. «As long as I did well in the role, no one cared about my sexuality».
During the same 2021 interview, Kier said he wanted to write memoirs but didn’t want them published until after his death.
«Yes, I want to write memoirs, but they won’t come out until after my death», - he noted. «All the money earned from the book will go to the AIDS Foundation. I can’t release them now because I don’t want to lie. I will tell the truth. You can go on the internet and watch all the documentaries made about me. I won’t sit down and write, but I know two or three smart journalists very well. I will invite them to spend a few days with me. I will tell them about my life in detail, which they can record on a tape recorder, and then write a book».
At the time of publication, no memoirs about Kier’s life and career had been announced.
Although acting in movies was his passion, Kier also appeared in various media, including several Madonna music videos. He appeared in the videos for the songs «Erotica» and «Deeper and Deeper». In 1992, Kier collaborated with Madonna again, appearing in photographs in her book «Sex»
Below, Hollywood Life remembers Kier for his life and career. Here are five facts about him.
Kier was actually born under the name Udo Kierspe. He used «Kier» as his stage name.
The late star of «Ace Ventura: Pet Detective» was born at the height of World War II in 1944 in Cologne, Germany. Bombings hit the hospital just hours after his mother gave birth to him. They both had to be rescued from the rubble, Kier told The Guardian in 2002.
As an openly gay man, Kier said he never tried to hide his sexuality. During a 2021 interview with The Bay Area Reporter, Kier said, «no one ever asked» about his personal life.
«Maybe it was obvious, but it didn’t matter because all that mattered was the role I played», - he explained. «As long as I did well in the role, no one cared about my sexuality».
During the same 2021 interview, Kier said he wanted to write memoirs but didn’t want them published until after his death.
«Yes, I want to write memoirs, but they won’t come out until after my death», - he noted. «All the money earned from the book will go to the AIDS Foundation. I can’t release them now because I don’t want to lie. I will tell the truth. You can go on the internet and watch all the documentaries made about me. I won’t sit down and write, but I know two or three smart journalists very well. I will invite them to spend a few days with me. I will tell them about my life in detail, which they can record on a tape recorder, and then write a book».
At the time of publication, no memoirs about Kier’s life and career had been announced.
Although acting in movies was his passion, Kier also appeared in various media, including several Madonna music videos. He appeared in the videos for the songs «Erotica» and «Deeper and Deeper». In 1992, Kier collaborated with Madonna again, appearing in photographs in her book «Sex»
© Puhova Marina
