Ulrich Matthes

Ulrich Matthes (born 9 May 1959 in West Berlin) is a renowned German actor who rose to international recognition for his portrayals of Joseph Goebbels in the 2004 film Downfall and Fr. Henri Kremer in The Ninth Day, also released in 2004. Matthes' acting career commenced in 1969, and he hasn't ceased captivating audiences with his visceral performances since then. Primarily known for his acting and voice acting talents, Matthes has an extensive list of movie and TV credits to his name. In addition to his on-screen roles, he is the standard German voice for Kenneth Branagh. In 2019, Matthes served on the jury that recognized Pauline Curnier Jardin with the Preis der Nationalgalerie award. Matthes has also received several awards throughout his career, including the Bavarian Film Award and the Goldene Kamera for Best German Actor, amongst others. Revealed as openly gay in February 2021, Matthes remains a prominent figure in German cinema and beyond. He last made headlines in April 2023 as one of the 22 guests at a ceremony honoring former Chancellor Angela Merkel.