Karl Markovics, born August 29, 1963, in Vienna, ranks among the most "striking heads" of German cinema. However, his acting career started at the theatre during the 1980s. Until today, Markovics regularly performs in classic as well as contemporary plays at the most important Viennese theatres such as the Serapionstheater or the Volkstheater. Furthermore, he staged Ionesco"s "The Bald Soprano" at Volkstheater in 2005.

Markovics made his movie debut in 1991 in Michael Sturminger"s "Hund und Katz". From 1991 on, Markovics appeared in several film and TV productions. Besides his parts in Josef Harather"s cult road movie "Indien" ("India", 1993) and in the satire "Hinterholz 8" (1998), Markovics became mainly known for his part as Inspektor Ernst Stockinger in the TV series "Kommissar Rex" and "Stockinger" (1994-1996). But the idiosyncratic actor gave up these successful roles to avoid "becoming stuck in routines".

Instead, Markovics took unusual challenges and starred in films such as "Drei Herren" (1998) as part of a gentle but mentally retarded trio who flee from the psychiatric ward; or as a sleazy yellow press reporter in Helmut Dietl"s satire "Late Show" (1999). One of Markovics best performances has been the part of a wheelchair-bound former emergency medical technician in Wolfgang Murnberger"s black comedy "Komm, süßer Tod" ("Come Sweet Death", 2000). But Markovics has also proven his versatility in such diverse roles as a SS storm trooper in Stefan Ruzowitzky"s "Die Männer ihrer Majestät" ("All the Queen"s Men", 2001) and as a Jewish concentration camp prisoner in "Die Fälscher" ("The Counterfeiters", 2007), also directed by Ruzowitzky.