Klaus Kinski

Photo of Klaus Kinski

Biography

With a deep furrowed brow overhanging large malefic eyes that heightened his manic intensity while betraying no inner vulnerability, Kinski had a long, notorious career that both fed on and was complicated by his monumental ego. Though he appeared in over 250 films, the five he made with German compatriot, director Werner Herzog, were the stuff of filmmaking legend. Their combative and codependent collaboration started with "Aguirre, the Wrath …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Writer

Born

November 30, 1925

Career Milestones

Acted on stage in Tubingen and Baden-Baden

Gave poetry recitals in small German cabarets and later larger halls

On second day of combat in the Netherlands, Kinski was injured and captured by Allied forces and spent the rest of WWII in a British prison-of-war camp

1930

Moved with parents to Berlin (date approximate)

1944

Drafted into the German army at age 16

1948

West German film acting debut, "Morituri"

1951

First English-language film, "Decision Before Dawn"

1960

Moved to Berlin

1961

Appeared on German TV in "Die Kurve"

1989

Directorial and screenwriting debut with the unreleased feature, "Paganini" (also actor)