Born on October 23, 1956, in Schwerin, she is a celebrated German actress renowned for her roles in both Eastern and reunified Germany. She gained prominence with her performance in "The Legend of Paul and Paula" (1973) and continued to shine in films like "Good Bye Lenin!" (2003). Known for her versatility, she has received numerous awards, including the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her career spans several decades, marked by powerful, emotive performances.