Armin Mueller-Stahl

Armin Mueller-Stahl, born on December 17, 1930, is a distinguished retired German actor, active in the film industry from 1956 to 2015. He made significant contributions to both the German and international film community. His diverse filmography showcases numerous English-language films since the 1980s and his work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Shine and the Honorary Golden Bear received in 2011. Born in Tilsit, East Prussia (currently Sovetsk, Russia), Mueller-Stahl's acting skills developed early on in East Berlin and his talent flourished, despite facing political blacklisting in his home country due to his protest against the denaturalization of Wolf Biermann. He eventually immigrated to West Germany in 1980 and continued pursuing his career.

His career highlights include his performances in films like Lola, Veronika Voss, and Colonel Redl. He gained international recognition for his roles in American films including Music Box, Avalon, and Shine. In addition to acting, Mueller-Stahl directed the 1996 film Conversation with the Beast. He also made strong impact in television, most notably his portrayal of Thomas Mann in the German miniseries Die Manns and the Prime Minister of Israel in The West Wing. His last notable roles were in David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises and the thriller The International, both co-starring Naomi Watts. His support for the Freya von Moltke Foundation also reflects his commitment to cultural and educational initiatives.