Mario Adorf

Mario Adorf, born in Zurich in 1930 and raised in Mayen, is one of the most important German actors of his generation. His career began in the late 1950s when he became famous for his role as a sex offender in “Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam” (1957, directed by Robert Siodmak). In the decades that followed, he made his mark on European cinema with impressive character portrayals. His most popular films include “The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum” (1975, directed by Volker Schlöndorff and Margarethe von Trotta), “Kir Royal” (1986, directed by Helmut Dietl), and “Rossini – or the Murderous Question of Who Slept with Whom” (1997, directed by Helmut Dietl). He also made a name for himself internationally, among others in “The Name of the Rose” (1986, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud) and “Smilla's Sense of Snow” (1997, directed by Bille August). Adorf received particular attention for his role in DEADLOCK (1970, directed by Roland Klick), an unusual mix of western and psychological drama in which he played the character Charles Dump. The film is now considered a cult classic of New German Cinema and cemented Adorf's reputation as an actor with an extraordinary presence. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including series such as Der große Bellheim (1993, directed by Dieter Wedel), which made him very popular with television audiences. He demonstrated his versatility in both serious dramas and humorous roles, reaching a wide audience over the decades. Mario Adorf received numerous awards for his work. Among other honors, he was awarded the German Film Prize, the Golden Camera, the Adolf Grimme Prize, and the Bambi. In addition, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, which documents his significance far beyond the art of acting.