Hideo Kojima leads tributes as gay My Own Private Idaho actor Udo Kier dies aged 81
Udo Kier is remembered as a cinematic icon. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty)
Udo Kier is remembered as a cinematic icon. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty)
Legendary gay actor Udo Kier, best known for My Own Private Idaho and Flesh for Frankenstein, has died aged 81.
The cult icon passed away on Sunday (23 November) morning, his partner Delbert McBride shared. Kier died in a Palm Springs, California, hospital. No cause of death was given.
Kier is a cinematic legend, having appeared in 275 roles across Hollywood and European cinema.
He was also a gay star and had been open about his sexuality for decades. In 2021, reflecting on his queerness, Kier shared: “No one ever asked about my sexuality.
“Maybe it was obvious, but it didn’t make any difference because all that mattered was the role I was playing. As long as I did a good job on the part, no one cared about my sexuality.”
Celebrated for his ability to bring complex portrayals to villains and monsters, Kier’s career is defined by his loyal collaborations.
He appeared in a number of Lars von Trier’s projects, including Epidemic, Europa, The Kingdom, Breaking the Waves, Dancer in the Dark, Dogville, Melancholia and Nymphomaniac: Vol. II.
He also grew close to Andy Warhol’s director, Paul Morrissey, who cast him as Frankenstein in Flesh for Frankenstein and then Dracula in Blood for Dracula.
In the nineties, Kier appeared in Madonna‘s controversial book Sex. Then, he went on to feature in her music videos for “Erotica” and “Deeper and Deeper.”
‘There will never be another like him’
Most recently, Kier appeared in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s neo-noir historical political thriller The Secret Agent.
The news of Kier’s passing led to many sharing tributes to the late actor. Among them, Japanese video game designer Hideo Kojima shared a touching tribute. Kier was set to star in Kojima’s next video game, OD.
“I’m at a loss for words. It all happened far too suddenly,” Kojima wrote.
“Because of the strike, we weren’t able to shoot OD for a long time, and we were forced to reschedule to next year. Even during that time, Udo and I exchanged emails frequently. We stayed in close contact.”
Kojima noted that Kier had expressed his excitement about shooting in 2026. “He was full of energy then too, making me laugh with his usual “Udo-isms”,” he continued.
“I still can’t believe this. Udo wasn’t just an actor. He was truly an “icon” of his time. We’ve lost a great “icon.” There will never be another like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you.”
Knives Out director Rian Johnson also shared a message about Kier’s legacy: “RIP to a true legend.
Like everyone who ever drank with this man at a film festival, I kinda genuinely thought he’d live forever.”
