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Daniel Brühl facts for kids

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Daniel Brühl
MJK 68238 Daniel Brühl (Berlinale 2020).jpg
Brühl in 2020
Born
Daniel César Martín Brühl González

(1978-06-16) 16 June 1978 (age 47)
Barcelona, Spain
Citizenship
  • Germany
  • Spain
Occupation
  • Actor
  • film producer
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s)
Felicitas Rombold
(m. 2017)
Partner(s) Jessica Schwarz (2001–2006)
Children 2

Daniel Brühl is a talented actor from Germany and Spain. He has won many awards for his acting, including several European Film Awards and German Film Awards. He has also been nominated for big awards like the Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA Award.

He became well-known for his main role in the German movie Good Bye, Lenin! (2003). Later, he gained international fame for playing Fredrick Zoller in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (2009). He also received great praise for his role as Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda in the movie Rush (2013). More recently, he played Helmut Zemo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and TV shows. He also starred in the TV series The Alienist.

Early Life

Daniel Brühl was born in Barcelona, Spain, on June 16, 1978. His father, Hanno Brühl, was a German TV director. His mother, Marisa González Domingo, was a Spanish teacher. Soon after he was born, his family moved to Cologne, Germany, where he grew up.

He learned to speak many languages at home, including Spanish, German, Catalan, Portuguese, and French. He went to secondary school at the Dreikönigsgymnasium in Cologne.

Career Highlights

Starting Out in Acting (1995–2002)

Daniel Brühl started acting when he was young, even without special training. He performed in school plays and began earning money at age 8 by doing radio plays. Later, he worked in a studio where he voiced characters for movies. Someone there suggested he try out for a talent agency.

When he was 15, Brühl got a small part in a TV movie called Svens Geheimnis. He also played a street kid named Benji in the TV show Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love) in 1995. He continued to appear in TV shows for several years. In 1999, he made his first movie appearance in Paradise Mall. He also voiced a character in the German version of Le château des singes.

In 2000, he got his first main role as Markus Baasweiler in No More School. He also played Jay in the movie Deeply. In 2001, he starred as Lukas in The White Sound, Daniel in No Regrets, and Marek in Honolulu. In 2002, he played Arbo in Vaya con Dios and a boxer named Marko Stemper in Elephant Heart. He won several awards for these early roles, including the German Film Award for Best Actor.

Becoming Well-Known (2003–2008)

Daniel Brühl (2004)
Brühl in 2004

Daniel Brühl became famous around the world in 2003 with his role as Alex Kerner in the German movie Good Bye, Lenin!. This movie is a comedy-drama about a German family living during the time when East and West Germany reunited. The film was very successful and won many awards. It was shown in over 65 countries. For his role in this movie, Brühl won the European Film Award for Best Actor.

In 2004, Brühl worked again with director Hans Weingartner and starred as Jan, an activist, in The Edukators. This film was very popular and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. He also made his first English-speaking movie, Ladies in Lavender, where he acted alongside famous actresses Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. He even met Queen Elizabeth II at the movie's premiere.

In 2005, Brühl showed his language skills in the World War I movie Joyeux Noël. He spoke German, French, and English in the film. In 2006, he played Salvador Puig Antich, a Spanish anarchist, in the movie Salvador (Puig Antich). This was his first time acting in Spanish. He also voiced Lightning McQueen in the German version of the movie Cars. In 2007, he had a small role in the action movie The Bourne Ultimatum.

Global Recognition (2009–2015)

In 2009, Daniel Brühl became known to many more people in the United States when he starred as Fredrick Zoller in Quentin Tarantino's movie Inglourious Basterds. This film, which also starred Brad Pitt, was very popular and received many awards. Brühl and his co-stars won an award for their great teamwork as a cast.

In 2011, he played a cybernetics engineer in the science fiction film Eva. He also starred as English teacher Konrad Koch in Lessons of a Dream, a movie about how football was introduced to German students in the late 1800s.

Daniel Brühl February 2015
Brühl at the Berlin Embassy of the United States in 2015

In 2013, Brühl co-starred in The Fifth Estate, a movie about the creation of WikiLeaks. In the same year, he played the famous Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda in the movie Rush. To prepare for this role, he took Formula Three driving lessons and even met Niki Lauda himself. He spent hours each day getting special makeup to look like Lauda. His performance was highly praised, and he received many award nominations, including for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

In 2014, he appeared in A Most Wanted Man alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman. In 2015, he played an investigative journalist in Woman in Gold with Helen Mirren. He also played a restaurant manager in Burnt with Bradley Cooper. To get ready for this role, he trained as a manager in a Michelin-star restaurant in London.

Marvel and Beyond (2016–Present)

In 2016, Daniel Brühl joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the supervillain Helmut Zemo in Captain America: Civil War. This movie was very popular and well-liked by critics. In 2017, he played a Nazi zoologist in the World War II film The Zookeeper's Wife, which was about a couple who saved many Jewish people.

From 2018 to 2020, he starred as Dr. Laszlo Kreizler in the TV series The Alienist. To prepare, he read about famous psychologists and even spoke with criminal psychologists. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in this series.

In 2021, Brühl directed his first movie, a dark comedy called Next Door. He also acted in the film as a character named Daniel. The movie won an award for Best Film at the Taormina Film Festival, and Brühl won Best Actor. He also returned as Helmut Zemo in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. His dancing in the show became very popular online! In 2022, he was an executive producer and actor in the Academy Award-nominated Netflix film All Quiet on the Western Front.

Personal Life

Daniel Brühl and Felicitas Rombold
Brühl with his partner Felicitas Rombold at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival

Daniel Brühl was in a relationship with actress Jessica Schwarz for several years. Since 2010, he has been with Felicitas Rombold, who is a psychotherapist. They got married in 2017 and have two sons, born in 2016 and 2020.

Brühl enjoys running, hiking, and playing and watching tennis. His favorite tennis player is Rafael Nadal.

Helping Others

Since 2017, Daniel Brühl has supported the World Food Programme, which helps feed people around the world. He has also supported efforts to encourage unity in Europe and to fight diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. In 2019, he helped raise money for the Amazon rainforest. In 2020, he donated a personal item to help refugees.

Writing and Other Projects

Daniel Brühl has written a book called Ein Tag in Barcelona, which describes a day in the city. He also co-wrote a cookbook called Tapas! with Atilano González, featuring recipes from their tapas bar.

Since 2011, Brühl has been a co-owner of a tapas bar called Bar Raval in Berlin, Germany.

Filmography

Movies

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Paradise Mall (Schlaraffenland) Checo
Le château des singes Kom German version, voice
2000 A Handful of Grass Bernd
Deeply Jay
Stundenhotel
No More School (Schule) Markus Baasweiler
2001 The White Sound Lukas
Honolulu Marek
No Regrets (Nichts bereuen) Daniel
2002 Elephant Heart Marko Stemper
Vaya con Dios Arbo
2003 Good Bye, Lenin! Alexander Kerner
Die Klasse von '99 Schnubbi
Der letzte Flug Uffz. Barthel Short film
Brother Bear Kenai German version, voice
2004 Love in Thoughts (Was nützt die Liebe in Gedanken) Paul Krantz
The Edukators (Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei) Jan
Ladies in Lavender Andrea Marowski
Farland Frank
2005 Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël) Le Lieutenant Horstmayer
2006 Cargo Chris
Cars Lightning McQueen German version, voice
Salvador (Puig Antich) Salvador Puig Antich
A Friend of Mine (Ein Freund von mir) Karl
Brother Bear 2 Kenai German version, voice
2007 2 Days in Paris Lukas
The Bourne Ultimatum Martin Kreutz
2008 In Transit (In Tranzit) Klaus
A Bit of Chocolate (Un poco de chocolate) Marcos
Krabat Tonda
2009 John Rabe Dr. Georg Rosen
Las madres de Elna Amaro
The Countess István Thurzó
Inglourious Basterds Fredrick Zoller
Lila, Lila David Kern
Inglorious Basterds: Stolz der Nation Friedrich (as Fredrick Zoller) Video short
Dinosaurier – Gegen uns seht ihr alt aus! Tobias Hardmann
2010 King's Road (Kóngavegur 7) Rupert
The Coming Days (Die kommenden Tage) Hans Krämer
2011 Lessons of a Dream (Der ganz große Traum) Konrad Koch
All Together (Et si on vivait tous ensemble?) Dirk
Eva Álex Garel
Intruders Father Antonio
2 Days in New York The Oak Fairy
2012 Winning Streak (The Pelayos) Iván Pelayo
7 Days in Havana Leonardo (segment "La tentación de Cecilia)
2013 Rush Niki Lauda
The Fifth Estate Daniel Domscheit-Berg
2014 A Most Wanted Man Maximilian
The Face of an Angel Thomas
2015 Woman in Gold Hubertus Czernin
Colonia Daniel
Me and Kaminski Sebastian Zöllner
Burnt Tony Balerdi
2016 Alone in Berlin Escherich
Captain America: Civil War Helmut Zemo
Killing for Love Jens Söring Documentary, voice
2017 The Zookeeper's Wife Lutz Heck
2018 The Cloverfield Paradox Ernst Schmidt
Entebbe Wilfried Böse
2019 My Zoe Thomas Fischer Also executive producer
2021 Next Door (Nebenan) Daniel Weltz Also director and producer
The King's Man Erik Jan Hanussen
2022 All Quiet on the Western Front Matthias Erzberger Also executive producer
2023 The Movie Teller Nansen
2024 Race for Glory: Audi vs. Lancia Roland Gumpert
Eden Heinz Wittmer

Television Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Verbotene Liebe Benji Kirchner 16 episodes
Svens Geheimnis TV movie
1996 Der Pakt – Wenn Kinder töten Nikolas Koll TV movie
1997 Freunde fürs Leben Leander Heiden 4 episodes
Polizeiruf 110 Robert Voigt Episode: «Der Sohn der Kommissarin»
1998 SOKO München Knut Episode: «Ausgetrickst»
1998–2000 Tatort Achim 2 episodes
1998 Blutiger Ernst Reinhold Gerwander TV movie
1999 Hin und weg David TV movie
Sturmzeit Chris Rathenberg Episode: «Teil 4»
Ein mörderischer Plan Reini Pfaff TV movie
2000 Eine öffentliche Affäre
2014 The Trip Patron at Terrace Bar Episode: «Il Cenobio dei Dogi, Camogli»
2018–2020 The Alienist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler Main role
2021 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Helmut Zemo Main Role 5 episodes
Marvel Studios: Assembled Himself Documentary; Episode: "Assembled: The Making of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
2024 Becoming Karl Lagerfeld Karl Lagerfeld Lead role
2024 The Franchise Eric Recurring role

Filmmaking Roles

Year Title Credited as Notes Distributor
Director Writer Producer
2019 My Zoe No No Yes Feature film, Executive producer Warner Bros Pictures, BAC Films, et al.
2021 Next Door (Nebenan) Yes No Yes Feature film Curzon, Warner Bros Pictures
2022 All Quiet on the Western Front No No Yes Executive producer Netflix

Awards and Nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref
2002 Bavarian Film Awards Best Young Actor Das Weisse Rauschen, No Regrets (Nichts Bereuen), Vaya con Dios Won
German Film Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Won
New Faces Awards Best Actor Won
2003 German Film Critics Association Awards Best Actor Das Weisse Rauschen, Vaya con Dios Won
Bambi Awards Best Film – National Good Bye, Lenin! Won
European Shooting Stars Award Top Young Actor Won
Jupiter Awards Best German Actor Won
European Film Awards European Film Award for Best Actor Won
Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actor Won
German Film Awards Audience Award for Best German Actor Won
Best Actor in a Leading Role Good Bye, Lenin!, Elefantenherz Won
2004 European Film Awards European Film Award for Best Actor The Edukators Nominated
Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actor Love in Thoughts Won
2006 Barcelona Film Awards Best Actor Salvador (Puig Antich) Won
2007 Butaca Awards Best Catalan Film Actor Nominated
Cinema Writers Circle Awards Best Actor Nominated
Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor Nominated
Goya Awards Best Actor Nominated
Mestre Mateo Awards Best Actor Cargo Nominated
Seattle International Film Festival Best Actor Salvador (Puig Antich) Won
Spanish Actors Union Best Male Lead Performance Nominated
2009 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards Best Acting Ensemble Inglourious Basterds Won
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Ensemble Performance Won
2010 Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards Best Ensemble Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Won
CinEuphoria Awards Best Ensemble – International Competition Won
2012 Cinema Writers Circle Awards Best Actor Eva Nominated
Gaudí Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
Goya Awards Best Actor Nominated
2013 Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Rush Nominated
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actor Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2014 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
British Academy Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Empire Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Jupiter Awards Best German Actor Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Best Breakthrough Performance: Male Nominated
Romy Gala Favorite Actor Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actor Won
2016 Jupiter Awards Best German Actor Ich und Kaminski Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Villain Captain America: Civil War Nominated
2019 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film The Alienist Nominated
Satellite Awards Satellite Awards for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2021 Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear Best Film Next Door (Nebenan) Nominated
Taormina Film Festival Cariddi D'Oro – Best Film Won
Polifemo Mask – Best Actor Won
Art Film Festival Blue Angel Best Film Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Nominated
2022 Jupiter Awards Jury's Special Prize Next Door (Nebenan) Won
2024 16th Gaudí Awards Best Supporting Actor The Movie Teller Nominated

See also

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