1. Overview
Marlon Kittel, born on December 11, 1983, in Essen, Germany, is a prominent German actor. His career began uniquely as a stuntman before he transitioned into acting, quickly establishing himself in the German film and television industry. Over the years, Kittel has amassed an extensive filmography, including roles in numerous short films, feature films, television movies, and popular television series. He gained significant recognition for his performance as Leo in the 2004 film Summer Storm. Beyond his acting prowess, Kittel is also noted for his diverse personal interests, including musical talents, linguistic abilities, and a wide array of sports and hobbies.
2. Early Career and Work
Marlon Kittel's professional journey in the entertainment industry began with foundational work behind the scenes before he was discovered as an actor.
2.1. Stuntman Career
Kittel initially entered the film industry as a stuntman. He notably worked as a stunt double for the German television series Der Clown. This early involvement provided him with practical experience in film production and physical performance.
2.2. Start of Acting Career
His transition from stunt work to acting marked a significant turning point. After his initial work as a stuntman, Kittel was discovered for his acting talent. Since 1999, he began taking on roles in various films and made numerous appearances in German television series. One of his first significant roles was as Paule in the film Paule und Julia (2002), which helped to establish his presence in the acting world.
3. Acting Career
Marlon Kittel's acting career spans a wide range of productions, showcasing his versatility across different media, including cinema, television, and audio dramas.
3.1. Filmography
Kittel's comprehensive filmography includes a variety of roles in short films, feature films, television movies, and television series.
3.1.1. Short Films
| Year | Title | English Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Rillenfieber | Grooves Fever | Dani |
| 2000 | Freunde (The Whiz Kids; a gay short film) | The Whiz Kids; a gay short film | Marco |
| 2007 | Wilde Vögel fliegen | Wild Birds Fly | Tobi |
| 2010 | Die Fortgeworfenen | The Fort Cast | |
| 2010 | Haltlos - Losing Ground | Haltlos - Losing Ground | Boy |
3.1.2. Films
| Year | Title | English Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Anna Wunder | Anna Wonder | Mickey |
| 2002 | Der Felsen | A Map of the Heart | Olaf |
| 2002 | Paule und Julia | Paule and Julia | Paule |
| 2003 | Verschwende deine Jugend | Play It Loud! | Freddie |
| 2003 | Schwarzfahrt | Black Ride | |
| 2004 | Sommersturm | Summer Storm | Leo |
| 2005 | Die Bluthochzeit | The Wedding Party | Arne |
| 2006 | Der Feind im Inneren | Joy Division | Max |
| 2009 | Unter Bauern - Retter in der Nacht | Saviors in the Night | Klemens Aschoff |
| 2009 | Parkour | Parkour | Nonne |
| 2011 | Nimmersatt | Glutton | Felix |
| 2011 | Feueralarm | Fire Alarm | Thomas |
| 2012 | Gewissenskrieg | War of Conscience | Tom Rüger |
3.1.3. Television Movies
| Year | Title | English Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Der Sommer mit Boiler | The Summer with Boiler | |
| 2001 | Die Sitte | Sitte L | Benny |
| 2004 | Klassenfahrt - Geknutscht wird immer | The School Trip | Eric von Brückenstein |
| 2004 | Emilia - Familienbande | Emilia - Family Ties | Sebastian Steinbach |
| 2006 | Die Sturmflut | Storm Tide | Gert (uncredited) |
| 2006 | Der Untergang der Pamir | The Sinking of the Pamir | Josef Pütz |
| 2006 | Brennendes Herz | Burning Heart | Henry |
| 2008 | Die Zeit, die man Leben nennt | This Life is Yours | Felix |
| 2008 | Code 21 | Code 21 | Segment: Besser Kabul |
| 2009 | Hoffnung für Kummerow | Hope for Kummerow | Alex |
| 2013 | Die Polizistin-Siggis Sommer | The Policewoman-Siggis Summer | Jürgen Beier |
3.1.4. Television Series
Kittel has made numerous appearances in German television series, showcasing his versatility in episodic and recurring roles.
| Year | Title | English Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Der Clown | The Clown | Krüger |
| 2001 | Siska | Siska | Andrea Klein and Holger Schneller |
| 2001 | Die Kumpel | The Buddy | |
| 2001 | Der Alte | The Old Fox | Max Färber and Hansi Walter |
| 2003 | SK Kölsch | Sascha Krebs | |
| 2001-2003 | Mein Leben & Ich | My Life and I | Manuel |
| 2004 | Wolffs Revier | Wolff's Turf | Simon |
| 2004 | Einmal Bulle, immer Bulle | Once a Cop, always a Cop | |
| 2005 | Ein starkes Team | A Strong Team | Lars Wittgenstein |
| 2006 | Wilsberg | Wilsberg | Sven Siegert |
| 2003-2007 | SOKO Köln | Cologne P.D. | Björn Römer and Sebastian Weber |
| 2007 | Notruf Hafenkante | Hamburg Dockland | Sören |
| 2008 | Die Familienwältin | Michael Seifert | |
| 2008 | Da kommt Kalle | Here Comes Kalle | Lucas Berthold |
| 2008 | Der Bergdoktor | Mountain Medic | Tobias |
| 2006-2008 | Polizeiruf 110 | Police Call 110 | Bastian Kräner and Kal Menken |
| 2008 | Die Gerichtsmedizinerin | The Medical Examiner | Kai Makalowski |
| 2008 | Stolberg (Kommissar Stolberg) | Ramon Hartwig | |
| 2008-2009 | Tatort | Daniel Roßhaupter and Benjamin | |
| 2009 | Großstadtrevier | Torben Lüders | |
| 2009 | Ihr Auftrag, Pater Castell | The Fifth Commandment | Gunnar Feld |
| 2009 | Stubbe - Von Fall zu Fall | Stubbe - from Case to Case | Hannes Trautmann |
| 2010 | Küstenwache | Coast Guard | Nick Abel |
| 2010 | Der Kriminalist | The Criminalist | Kay Franke |
| 2010 | Die Bergwacht | The Mountain Rescue | Ronnie |
| 2011 | Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter | Generation War | Joseph |
| 2011 | SOKO Leipzig | Leipzig Homicide | Thomas Vander |
| 2012 | Die Draufgänger | The Daredevil | Lars Möller |
| 2012 | Letzte Spur Berlin | Karsten Tillmann | |
| 2012 | Der letzte Bulle | The Last Cop | Kevin Schmitz |
| 2013 | Doc meets Dorf | Doc Meets Dorf | Finn |
| 2013 | SOKO Wismar | Robert Brand | |
| 2013 | Löwenzahn | Dandelion | Rob Kutscher (the reporter) |
3.1.5. Audio Dramas
Marlon Kittel has also lent his voice to various audio drama productions.
| Year | Title | English Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Romeo und Giulietta | Romeo and Juliet | |
| 2006 | Märchenmarathon | Fairy Tale Marathon | |
| 2007 | Die Unruhe der Stella Federspiel | The Restlessness of Stella Federspiel | |
| 2007 | Der Heisseste Tag des Jahres | The Hottest Day of the Year | |
| 2007 | 1974 | 1974 | |
| 2008 | Die Tore der Welt | "The Gates of the World" or "World Without End" | |
| 2008 | Schnaps im Teekessel | Shot in the Kettle | |
| 2009 | Sexmonster | Sex Monster | |
| 2009 | 12 Stunden Hassel | 12-Hour Hassle | |
| 2010 | Krabat | Krabat | |
| 2011 | Xanadu | Xanadu | |
| 2011 | Nichts - was im Leben wichtig ist | Nothing - What is Important in Life | |
| 2011 | Angerichtet | Served | |
| 2012 | School-Shooter | School Shooter | |
| 2012 | Das sind nicht wir, das ist nur Glas | That is not Us, That is just Glass | |
| 2013 | Mord am Hindukusch | Murder in the Hindu Kush | |
| 2013 | Eine Reise ans Meer | A Trip to the Sea |
4. Notable Roles
Among his diverse acting credits, several roles have particularly contributed to Marlon Kittel's recognition and public profile. His portrayal of Leo in the 2004 film Summer Storm significantly increased his popularity. This role marked the second time Kittel played a gay character in his career, following his first such appearance in the 2000 short film Freunde (English: The Whiz Kids). Summer Storm also reunited him with actor Robert Stadlober, with whom he had previously worked in Play It Loud! (2003). Another early significant role was his portrayal of Paule in the 2002 film Paule und Julia.
5. Personal Life and Interests
Beyond his acting career, Marlon Kittel leads a multifaceted life, characterized by a range of artistic talents, linguistic skills, and active hobbies. In a 2010 interview, Kittel expressed a preference for working over receiving welfare.
5.1. Musical Talents
Kittel is musically inclined and proficient in playing several instruments. He plays the piano, having started in 1990, as well as the saxophone and drums.
5.2. Languages and Skills
He is fluent in English and also possesses abilities in Spanish and French. In terms of dance, Kittel has basic knowledge of Flamenco dancing and is also skilled in ballroom dancing.
5.3. Hobbies and Sports
Marlon Kittel maintains an active lifestyle and engages in a variety of sports and recreational activities. His hobbies include ice hockey, fencing, gymnastics (specifically apparatus gymnastics), handball, inline skating, karate, kickboxing, rock climbing, parkour, paddling, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, tennis, and windsurfing.
6. Awards and Nominations
Marlon Kittel has received recognition for his acting performances through various awards and nominations.
| Year | Film | Award | Category | Nominated or Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Paule und Julia (Paule and Julia) | International Filmfest München | Bester Nachwuchsdarsteller (Best Young Actor) | Nominated |
| 2002 | Paule und Julia (Paule and Julia) | Förderpreis Deutscher Film | Bester Nachwuchsschauspieler (Best Young Actor) | Nominated |
| 2005 | Klassenfahrt - Geknutscht wird immer (The School Trip) | Undine Award 1 | Bester jugendlicher Schauspieler in einem Fernsehfilm (Best Young Actor in a Television Movie) | Nominated |
| 2005 | Summer Storm (Sommersturm) | Undine Award 2 | Bester jugendlicher Nebendarsteller in einem Kinofilm (Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture) | Nominated |