Matthias Brenner

Matthias Brenner, born on 10 September 1957 in Meiningen, Bezirk Suhl, East Germany, is a multifaceted German talent whose career spans acting, directing, and writing. He grew up in the shadow of his father, the respected actor Carl Rüdiger Brenner, which nurtured an early fascination with the performing arts and provided a solid foundation for his later endeavors. After spending his childhood in Meiningen, Brenner entered the world of amateur theatre, where he honed his craft before enrolling at the prestigious Hochschule für Schauspielkunst in East Berlin, where he studied from 1979 to 1982. Upon completing his studies, he became a prominent presence in the regional theatre scene, notably working in Erfurt between 1985 and 1990, before eventually relocating to Berlin, where he continues to reside. Brenner's literary pursuits are equally impressive; as an author for General Cargo Verlag in Munich, he has adapted classic literature for stage and screen, including The Hunchback of Notre‑Dame and Theodor Fontane’s Effi Briest, and has penned original works such as Das Märchen von der verlorenen Zeit and Nullhundertneunzig. His on‑screen career is marked by a diverse array of television and film roles, ranging from appearances in the iconic German crime series Tatort to parts in acclaimed films like Der Zimmerspringbrunnen (2001), The Lives of Others (2006), and Hotel Lux (2011). Notably, he portrayed Ernst von Bergmann in the historical series Charité (2017), demonstrating his ability to embody complex historical figures. Over the decades, Brenner has contributed to the cultural fabric of contemporary German cinema and theatre, earning recognition for his versatility, depth of performance, and commitment to adapting literary classics for modern audiences, thereby cementing his status as a significant figure in the German arts community.