On May 16th, 2021, the Austrian actor Helmut Berger passed away at the age of 78. His death was confirmed by his agent in a statement to Austrian news agency APA.
Born on May 29th, 1944 in Bad Ischl, Austria, Berger was a prominent figure in the European film industry in the 60s and 70s. He rose to fame through his collaborations with director Luchino Visconti, starring in some of his most renowned films such as „The Damned“, „Death in Venice“, and „Ludwig“. Berger’s performances in these movies were critically acclaimed and cemented his status as a leading actor of his generation.
Over the course of his career, Berger appeared in more than 100 films and TV productions, working with various acclaimed directors such as Ken Russell and Werner Schroeter. His work in the film industry was recognized with several awards, including the Best Actor Award at Cannes Film Festival for his role in „Conversation Piece“ in 1974.
But Berger’s personal life was also marked by turbulence and scandals. He battled alcohol addiction and was involved in publicized relationships with both men and women, including actress Marisa Berenson and fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Later in life, he became a recluse and lived alone in his apartment in Salzburg, Austria, where he suffered from health problems in recent years.
The news of Berger’s passing was met with sadness and tributes from fans and colleagues alike. Austrian Minister for Culture Monika Grütters praised him as „one of the most important actors and personalities in the German-speaking world,“ while German director Fatih Akin called him a „unique and extravagant“ artist.
Helmut Berger will be remembered as a versatile and significant actor who left a lasting mark on European cinema. His legacy will live on through the films he starred in and the impact he had on the film industry.
