Helmut Berger
Biography
Helmut Berger was an Austrian-born German film and television actor. Born Helmut Steinberger on May 29, 1944, in Bad Ischl, Austria, he primarily appeared in European cinema. Berger's notable work includes collaborations with Luchino Visconti, particularly in his portrayal of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He also acted in films such as The Godfather Part III and Iron Cross. Berger received a special David di Donatello award for his performance in Ludwig. He passed away on May 18, 2023, at the age of 78. Known for his portrayal of narcissistic and sexually ambiguous characters, Berger's acting career spanned multiple films and television shows.
Career overview
Helmut Berger was an Austrian-born German film and television actor. He began his acting career in the 1960s, initially working with Luchino Visconti. Berger appeared in European cinema, with a notable presence in films such as The Godfather Part III and Iron Cross.
Berger's work with Luchino Visconti is particularly notable, as he portrayed King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the film Ludwig. This performance earned him a special David di Donatello award. Berger's acting career spanned multiple decades, with a total of 91 known credits.
Berger's acting style was often characterized by his portrayal of narcissistic and sexually ambiguous characters. He was known for his work in European cinema, and his collaborations with notable directors and actors. Berger's career was marked by a range of performances, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
91 titles- Feuerblume - Die zwei Leben der Marisa Mell (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- The Garden That Doesn't Exist (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Ludwig: A Journey to the End of the Night (2022) as Self
- Portae Infernales (2019) as Professor Schneider
- Liberté (2019) as Duke of Walchen
- Fascism on a Thread: The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema (2019) as (archive footage)
- Helmut Berger, My Mother and Me (2019) as Self
- Timeless (2016) as Professor Martin
- Luchino Visconti: Between Truth and Passion (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Fifty Shades of Erotica (2015) as (archive footage)
- Helmut Berger, Actor (2015) as Self
- Saint Laurent (2014) as Yves Saint Laurent in 1989
- The Devil's Violinist (2013) as Lord Burghersh
- Luchino Visconti: The Quest for the Impossible (2013) as Self
- Murder Sisters (2011) as Dr. Schleier
- Madonna: Celebration - The Video Collection (2009) as Self (video 'Erotica') (archive footage)
- Iron Cross (2009) as Shrager / Vogler
- Initiation (2009) as Gustav Tritzinsky
- Zapping-Alien@Mozart-Balls (2009) as Jack
- Markus Lanz (2008) as Self
- Romy Schneider: A Woman in Three Notes (2008) as Self
- Helmut Berger - Mein Leben (2005) as Self
- Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! (2004) as Self
- Honey Baby (2004) as Karl / Hades
- ZIBB (2003) as Self
- The Kiss (Let's Play Dynasty!) (2000) as Alexis Carrington
- Best of Harald Schmidt - Respektlos und Rezeptfrei (2000)
- Beckmann (1999) as Self
- Under the Palms (1999) as David
- Jackie Brown (1997) Thanks
- Last Cut (1997) as Gabo Rey
- Teo (1997) as Signor Mastrovito
- The 120 Days of Bottrop (1997) as Self
- The Shadow of the Pharaoh (1996)
- Die Harald Schmidt Show (1995) as Self
- L'Affaire Dreyfus (1995) as Schwartzkoppen
- alfredissimo! Kochen mit Bio (1994) as Self
- Eurotrash (1993)
- Das Sahara-Projekt (1993)
- Ludwig 1881 (1993) as Ludwig II
- Boomtown (1993) as Richard Schwarzer
- Le Chinois : Un grand flic de Marseille (1992) as Michael Bogner
- Adelaide (1992) as Gilas
- Boulevard Bio (1991) as Self
- The Godfather Part III (1990) as Frederick Keinszig
- I promessi sposi (1989) as Egidio
- Act of Revenge (1989) as Dr. Carlo Martora
- Faceless (1988) as Dr. Frank Flamand
- Skipper (1987) as Hans
- Code Name: Emerald (1985) as Ernst Ritter
- Victòria! 3: El seny i la rauxa (1984) as Tinent Rodríguez Haro
- Femmes (1983) as Helmut
- Great Transport (1983) as Pukovnik Glassendorf
- Victòria! 2: La disbauxa del 17 (1983) as Tinent Rodríguez Haro
- Victòria! La gran aventura d'un poble (1983) as Tinent Rodríguez Haro
- Deadly Game (1982) as Boris
- Dynasty (1981) as Peter De Vilbis
- Le rose di Danzica (1981) as Il barone Erich Von Lehner
- Ludwig (1981) as Ludwig
- Fantômas (1980) as Fantomas
- My Wife is a Witch (1980) as Asmodeo
- Fatal Fix (1980) as Marco
- NDR Talk Show (1979) as Self
- Das Dorf an der Grenze (1979) as Peter
- Le rose di Danzica (1979) as Baron Erich von Lehner
- Return of the Saint (1978) as Vidal
- The Biggest Battle (1978) as Lt. Kurt Zimmer
- The Fifth Commandment (1978) as Bernhard Redder
- Please Turn the Page (1977) as Self
- Mad Dog Killer (1977) as Nanni Vitali
- Salon Kitty (1976) as Helmut Wallenberg
- Victory at Entebbe (1976) as Wilfried Böse
- The Romantic Englishwoman (1975) as Thomas
- Order to Kill (1975) as Clyde Hart
- Conversation Piece (1974) as Konrad Huebel
- Ludwig (1973) as Ludwig
- Reigen (1973) as Der junge Herr Alfred
- Ash Wednesday (1973) as Erich
- La colonna infame (1973) as Il capitano di giustizia Arconati
- The Voracious Ones (1973) as Kosta
- Bailey on Visconti (1972) as Self
- Dalli Dalli (1971) as Self
- Love Me Strangely (1971) as Alain Revent
- The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971) as Giorgio
- Treffpunkte (1970) as Self
- Dorian Gray (1970) as Dorian Gray
- The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (1970) as Alberto
- The Damned (1969) as Martin Von Essenbeck
- What Did Stalin Do to Women? (1969) as Aldo
- The Young Tigers (1968) as Dario
- The Witches (1967) as Hotel Page (segment "La strega bruciata viva")
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Helmut Berger best known for?
Helmut Berger is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Saint Laurent (2014), Markus Lanz (2008), ZIBB (2003), Beckmann (1999).
When and where was Helmut Berger born?
Helmut Berger was born on May 29, 1944 in Bad Ischl, Austria. They passed away on May 18, 2023.
How many credits does Helmut Berger have?
Helmut Berger has accumulated over 91 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1967 to 2023.
What is Helmut Berger's background in cinema and television?
Helmut Berger was an Austrian-born German film and television actor. Born Helmut Steinberger on May 29, 1944, in Bad Ischl, Austria, he primarily appeared in European cinema. Berger's notable work includes collaborations with Luchino Visconti, particularly in his portrayal of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He also acted in...
Helmut Berger by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Ludwig (1981) as Ludwig — aged about 37
- Dalli Dalli (1971) as Self — aged about 27
- The Godfather Part III (1990) as Frederick Keinszig — aged about 46
- Ludwig (1973) as Ludwig — aged about 29
- Conversation Piece (1974) as Konrad Huebel — aged about 30
- The Damned (1969) as Martin Von Essenbeck — aged about 25
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