GermanActorWriterJewish

Christian Berkel

Christian Berkel is a German actor known for his prolific career in both German and international films and television, including roles in ''Downfall'' and ''Inglourious Basterds''.

1. Life

Christian Berkel's life story is deeply intertwined with his family's experiences, particularly those shaped by historical events.

1.1. Birth and Background

Christian Berkel was born on October 28, 1957, in Berlin, Germany. His background includes a significant family history related to World War II. His father served as a military physician during the war. His mother, who was Jewish, faced persecution under the Nazi Party regime in Germany. To escape this persecution, she initially fled to France and then sought refuge in Argentina. She eventually returned to West Germany in 1955, after the war concluded.

1.2. Education and Early Training

From the age of 14, Berkel resided in Paris, where he undertook drama lessons under the tutelage of notable figures such as Jean-Louis Barrault and Pierre Berlin. Following his time in Paris, he pursued formal training at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin. His early theatrical career saw him performing on stage in various European cities, including Augsburg, Düsseldorf, Munich, Vienna, and at the renowned Schiller Theater in Berlin.

2. Career

Christian Berkel's career spans extensive work in German television and film, alongside notable appearances in major international productions.

2.1. Early Acting Career

Christian Berkel's acting career began with his debut in a 1976 film directed by Ingmar Bergman. He gained significant recognition in Germany through his extensive work in numerous German television productions, often achieving high visibility in the country's TV drama landscape. In addition to his on-screen roles, Berkel also established a notable stage career. From the early 1990s, following the German reunification, he performed as a stage actor in theaters across various German cities, including Augsburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Bochum. He also performed in Munich, Vienna, and at the Schiller Theater.

2.2. International Breakthrough and Notable Roles

Berkel's international prominence grew significantly with his role as Dr. Ernst-Günther Schenck in the Academy Award-nominated 2004 film Downfall, which depicted the final days of Adolf Hitler. He continued to take on significant parts in major international productions. These include his appearance in Paul Verhoeven's 2006 film Black Book (ZwartboekDutch), where he played General Käutner. He also featured in the American films Flightplan (2005) as the Mortuary Director, and in Valkyrie (2008), portraying Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim. Another notable role was as Proprietor Eric in Quentin Tarantino's 2009 film Inglourious Basterds.

Further international appearances include Flame & Citron (Flammen & CitronenDanish) (2008) as Hoffmann, Mogadischu (2008) as Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, Miracle at St. Anna (2008) as Captain Eichholz, and Attack on Leningrad (2009) as Vinkelmayer. In 2015, he appeared in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Dr. Udo Teller and in Trumbo as Otto Preminger. He also provided the German dubbing voice for King Louie in the 2016 film The Jungle Book, a role originally performed by Christopher Walken. In 2016, he appeared in Elle as Robert.

2.3. Awards and Recognition

For his work in the 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, Christian Berkel received collective recognition. He was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble. Both awards were presented in 2009.

3. Filmography

Christian Berkel has an extensive filmography across film and television:

  • 1977: Maiden's War (Der MädchenkriegGerman) - Karol Djudko
  • 1977: The Serpent's Egg - Student
  • 1978: Tatort - Rot, rot, tot (TV series) - Doc Decker / Dr. Alfred Waller / Erik Steinbeck / Rainer Wenisch / Uwe Pfandler
  • 1982: Frau Jenny Treibel (TV film) - Leopold Treibel
  • 1983: Derrick - Season 10, Episode 06: "Tödliches Rendezvous" - Manfred Kessler
  • 1989: Der Bastard (TV series) - Felix Dennison
  • 1991: KarniggelsGerman - Man #2 (voice)
  • 1993: Das Schicksal der Lilian H. (TV film) - Josef
  • 1993: Ein unvergeßliches Wochenende ... in Salzburg (TV film)
  • 1996: Der Mann ohne Schatten (TV series) - Bruno Kuhlin
  • 1996: Lautlose Schritte (TV film) - Simon Sundermann
  • 1997: Rossini - oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief (RossiniGerman) - Weich
  • 1997: Umarmung mit dem Tod (TV film) - Lefevre
  • 1998: Vicky's Nightmare (TV film) - John Nadolny
  • 1998: Tod auf Amrum (TV film) - Rolf Spiekermann
  • 1999: Sweet Little Sixteen (TV film) - Thomas Reiner
  • 2000: Verzweiflung
  • 2000: Blondine sucht Millionär fürs Leben (TV film) - Dietrich
  • 2001: Das Experiment (The Experiment) - Robert Steinhoff Nr. 38
  • 2002: Safe Conduct (Laissez-passerFrench) - Dr. Greven
  • 2002: Die Affäre Semmeling (TV series) - Fred Kiefer
  • 2002: Der Unbestechliche - Harald Kittler
  • 2003: Erste Liebe (TV film)
  • 2004: Soundless (LautlosGerman) - Lang
  • 2004: Der Untergang (Downfall) - Prof. Ernst-Günther Schenck
  • 2004: Männer wie wir (Guys and Balls) - Rudolf
  • 2005: Der Vater meiner SchwesterGerman (TV film) - Dr. Klaus Merbold
  • 2005: Tatort - Leerstand (TV series) - Doc Decker
  • 2005: Flightplan - Mortuary Director
  • 2006: Die Sturmflut (Storm Tide) (TV film) - Innensenator Helmut Schmidt
  • 2006: Eine Frage des Gewissens (A Question Of The Conscience) (TV film) - Martin Beltz
  • 2006: Black Book (ZwartboekDutch) - General Käutner
  • 2006: Der Kriminalist (TV series) - Kriminalhauptkommissar Bruno Schumann
  • 2007: The Other Boy - Jakob Wagner
  • 2008: Flame & Citron (Flammen & CitronenDanish) - Hoffmann
  • 2008: Mogadischu - Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
  • 2008: Haber - Fritz Shimon Haber
  • 2008: Miracle at St. Anna - Captain Eichholz
  • 2008: Valkyrie - Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim
  • 2009: Inglourious Basterds - Proprietor Eric
  • 2009: Attack on Leningrad - Vinkelmayer
  • 2010: Der letzte AngestellteGerman (The Last Employee) - David Böttcher
  • 2011: Der Mann mit dem FagottGerman (The Man with the Bassoon) - Heinrich Bockelmann
  • 2013: Buddy - Martin
  • 2014: Elly Beinhorn - AlleinflugGerman (Elly Beinhorn: Solo Flight) (TV film) - Ernst Udet
  • 2015: Traumfrauen - Herr Hegemann
  • 2015: Anti-Social - Philip
  • 2015: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Dr. Udo Teller
  • 2015: Trumbo - Otto Preminger
  • 2016: Elle - Robert
  • 2016: The Jungle Book - King Louie (German dubbing)
  • 2018: What Doesn't Kill Us
  • 2020: The Magic Kids: Three Unlikely Heroes - Louis Ziffer
  • 2020: Enfant Terrible

4. Personal Life

Christian Berkel's personal life includes his family and his linguistic abilities.

4.1. Family

Christian Berkel met actress Andrea Sawatzki in 1998, and the couple married in 2011. They have two sons together. The family currently resides in Berlin.

4.2. Languages

In addition to his native German, Berkel is fluent in both English and French.