Ed Kerr dies: ‘My Own Private Idaho’, ‘Blade’ actor was 81

German actor Udo Kerr, a film veteran whose diverse body of work stretched from the Lars von Trier tragedies to “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Blade,” has died. He was 81 years old.

A versatile avant-garde film star, Kerr died Sunday morning, his friend, Delbert McBride, confirmed to Variety. McBride did not provide a cause of death.

At the time of his death, Kier had accumulated over 200 film and television credits, most notably his collaborations with von Trier. They worked together consistently over the decades, starting with 1987’s “Epidemic” and most recently collaborating on 2013’s Von Trier’s “Nymphomaniac.” Kerr, also starred in the films “Dancer in the Dark” (starring Bjork), “Melancholia” and “Breaking the Waves” among others The darkest of human emotions.

In addition to Von Trier, Kerr starred in films from a number of other prominent European filmmakers throughout his career including Werner Herzog, Dario Argento and childhood friend Rainer Werner Fassbender.

Kerr, known for his imposing presence and piercing blue eyes, often played ruthless and intimidating characters in art-house films, including 1974’s Blood for Dracula (“Andy Warhol’s Dracula”), directed by Paul Morrissey. A year earlier, the artists collaborated on 1973’s “Meat for Frankenstein.” Kerr was often cast as a supernatural being, appearing in “Blade” and “Shadow of the Vampire” with Willem Dafoe and John Malkovich, among other horror films.

Nearly 30 years after his breakout role in the 1966 short film “Road to St. Tropez,” the Cologne-born Kerr notably starred in Gus Van Sant’s 1991 feature “My Own Private Idaho,” sharing the screen with a young Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix. The film became a cult classic, earning praise for its depiction of sexuality and queerness. The feature was one of 25 films selected for inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2024.

Although best known for his arthouse roles, Kier also appeared in several original works including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Downisizing” and “Armageddon.” His most recent film credits include “Swan Song,” “Bacurao” and “The Secret Agent,” Brazil’s international feature film entry for the 2026 Academy Awards.

Kerr has also starred in a number of television projects including the Von Trier TV movie “Media,” the horror miniseries “The Kingdom,” and the shows “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated,” “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin” and “Hunters.”

Outside of television and film, Kerr has appeared in music videos for Madonna (“Deeper and Deeper,” “Erotica”), among other artists. He also lent his voice to a few video games, including “Call of Duty: WWII” and was set to collaborate with Hideo Kojima on his upcoming “OD”.

Kerr was born on October 14, 1944 in a hospital that was bombed by the Allies during World War II. Keir’s father left before his birth and the actor was raised by his mother. In his teenage years, Kerr developed a friendship with Fassbender.

In the mid-60s, Keir moved to London to study English but instead found himself on the “St Tropez Street”. He later met Morrissey, who was closely associated with Warhol at the time, laying the foundation for his decades-long film career.

Kerr lived in Palm Springs, where he was a regular at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.