A distinguished German film and stage actor, he was renowned for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence. He gained international fame for his role as an angel in Wim Wenders' films "Wings of Desire" and its sequel "Faraway, So Close!" Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous German films and theater productions, earning acclaim for his versatile performances. He was also a successful voice actor, lending his voice to documentaries and audiobooks, and was married to actress Monika Hansen.