An Austrian actor and director, he gained international recognition for his role in "The Counterfeiters," the 2007 film that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Beginning his career in theater, he transitioned to film and television, becoming one of Austria's prominent actors. He is also known for his work on the TV series "Rex: A Cop's Best Friend." In addition to acting, he has directed films such as "Breathing," which was selected as Austria's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.