Thomas Kretschmann
Thomas Kretschmann, (September 8, 1962) is a German actor who has also performed in Hollywood movies, mostly as ill-fated characters.
Kretschmann was born in Dessau, former East Germany. Before he became an actor Kretschmann trained to become an Olympic swimmer. At the age of 19 he left East Germany and began a month-long trek to West Germany to escape Communism. During this trek he lost part of his finger to frostbite. Kretschmann crossed 4 borders with nothing other than a passport and the equivalent of $100 in his possession. At the age of 25 he began acting starring in numerous European films and Television Series.
In 1991 Kretschmann received the Max Ophüls Prize for best young actor for his role in "Der Mitwisser". Popular in his native country of Germany Kretschmann did not achieve fame in Hollywood until his role as Capt. Wilm Hosenfeld in Roman Polanski's 2002 film The Pianist.
Kretschmann currently lives in Los Angeles with his long-time girlfriend Lena. The two have three children: one son named Nicolas and one daughter named Stella and another child whose name is unknown.
Partial filmography
- Stalingrad (1993) - Leutnant von Witzland
- U-571 (2000) - Capt.-Lt. Gunther Wassner
- Blade 2 (2002) - Damaskino
- The Pianist (2002) - Capt. Wilm Hosenfeld
- In Enemy Hands (2004) - 1st Watch Officer Ludwig Cremer
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) - Major Cain
- Der Untergang (2004) - Hermann Fegelein
- Immortel (Ad Vitam) (2004) - Nickopol
- King Kong (2005) - Captain Englehorn
See also
External links
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