Born in 1942 in Munich, lives in Berlin. Film, television, and theater actor. Played roles in almost all of Fassbinder’s productions until 1975. Engagements at the Freie Volksbühne Berlin and the Berliner Ensemble. Winner of numerous awards (1972 and 1983 German Film Prize; Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution for the ensemble of actors of "Paradiso – Seven Days with Seven Women" at the Berlinale in 2000); most recently winner of the 2006 Deutscher Hörbuchpreis.