Thomas Kretschmann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Kretschmann
|
|
|---|---|
Kretschmann in March 2012
|
|
| Born | 8 September 1962 Dessau, Bezirk Halle, East Germany
|
| Occupation | Actor, screenwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Partner(s) | Brittany Rice (2011–present) |
| Children | 3 |
Thomas Kretschmann (born 8 September 1962) is a famous German actor. He has starred in many movies and TV shows in both Europe and America.
You might know him from his roles as Lieutenant Hans von Witzland in Stalingrad (1993) or as Captain Englehorn in King Kong (2005). He also voiced Professor Z in the animated movie Cars 2 (2011).
Thomas Kretschmann also played the journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter in A Taxi Driver (2017). Plus, he was Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
He has been nominated for the Deutscher Fernsehpreis for Best Actor twice. He was also nominated for a European Film Award and a Nika Award.
Contents
Thomas Kretschmann's Acting Journey
Thomas Kretschmann started acting when he was 25 years old. He appeared in many European movies and TV shows. One of his first roles was in Westler in 1985.
In 1991, he won the Max Ophüls Prize for best young actor for his role in Der Mitwisser. He then starred in his first big movie, Stalingrad, in 1993.
Becoming Known in Hollywood
Even though he was popular in Germany, Thomas Kretschmann became well-known in Hollywood after starring in Roman Polanski's 2002 film The Pianist. In this movie, he played Hauptmann Wilm Hosenfeld.
After The Pianist, Kretschmann often played military officers in movies about World War II. For example, in the 2004 film Downfall, he played Hermann Fegelein. In the 2008 thriller Valkyrie, he played Major Otto Ernst Remer. He also played Adolf Eichmann in a 2007 movie about his life.
First American TV Roles
Kretschmann first appeared on American television in 2003. He was a guest star in two episodes of the show 24, playing a character named Max. He also played Max again in the 24 video game in 2006.
In 2004, Kretschmann played Major Timothy Cain in Resident Evil: Apocalypse. He also appeared in the French film Immortal. This movie was special because it mixed computer-generated characters with real actors. In 2005, he got a role in Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong. He worked again with Adrien Brody, who was also in The Pianist.
Award-Winning Performances
In 2006, Kretschmann received praise for his role in Butterfly: A Grimm Love Story (also known as Rohtenburg in Germany). This movie was a psychological thriller. At the 2006 Festival de Cine de Sitges, Kretschmann won the Best Actor award for his performance. He shared this award with his co-star Thomas Huber. They also shared the Best Actor award at the 2007 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Voice Acting and Other Projects
In 2008, Kretschmann was going to voice Johann Krauss in Hellboy II: The Golden Army. However, the director decided his voice didn't fit the character's mechanical suit. That same year, he appeared in the action thriller Wanted with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.
In 2009, Kretschmann guest-starred in the American science-fiction TV show FlashForward. He also had a big role in the British movie The Young Victoria, playing King Leopold I of Belgium. This film won an Academy Award for Costume Design.
In 2010, he returned to Germany to guest star as himself in the romantic comedy Rabbit without Ears 2. Later, he filmed scenes for the German movie Jungle Child. In 2010, Walt Disney Pictures confirmed that Kretschmann would voice Professor Z in the Pixar film Cars 2. The movie was released in 2011.
Kretschmann also starred as Captain Kurt Brynildson in the 2011–2012 TV series The River. This show was about a group looking for a missing TV explorer in the Amazon jungle.
Joining the Marvel Universe
Thomas Kretschmann signed a contract with Marvel Studios to play Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. He first appeared as this character in a scene after the credits of the 2014 film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He had a bigger role as Baron Strucker in the 2015 movie Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Besides acting, Thomas Kretschmann has also worked as a fashion model. He was even the face for a scent by Hugo Boss. He often re-records his own lines for the German versions of his movies.
Awards and Recognition
- Best Young Actor (for Der Mitwisser), Max Ophüls Festival, 1991
- Best Actor (for Rohtenburg), Sitges – Catalan International Film Festival, 2006
- Best Actor (for Rohtenburg), Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2007
Images for kids
-
Thomas Kretschmann (far left) at a press conference for the film Transsiberian in 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Kretschmann para niños
