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Mario Adorf

Date of Birth
09/08/1930 - 12:00
Geburtsort
Zürich, Schweiz
Biography

Mario Adorf was born in Zurich on the 8th of September 1930. After graduating from school in the German town Mayen, he went to university and started working as an extra and production assistant at the Zurcher Schauspielhaus. In 1953, Adorf enrolled at the Otto-Falckenberg-Schule in Munich, and subsequently joined the ensemble of the Münchner Kammerspiele, where he worked from 1954-1960.

Adorf made his screen debut in 1954 as one of the German soldiers in Paul May's highly successful WWII-trilogy "O8/15". In 1957, he played a demented mass murderer in Robert Siodmak's "Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam" ("The Devil Came at Night") and was later awarded a Deutsche Filmpreis (German Film Award) for his performance. Mario Adorf was frequently cast as the brooding bad guy, for instance in "Das Totenschiff" ("Ship of the Dead") and "Winnetou I". Since the mid-1960s, he also appeared in Italian productions, where he could sometimes alter his prevailing screen image by playing more comical parts.

Over the years, Adorf acted in numerous foreign-language films, including turns in "Major Dundee", "Fedora", "The Holocraft Covenant" and "Jours tranquilles à Clichy". From 1970 on, he was one of the most-sought after actors of the New German Cinema and participated in groundbreaking works such as "Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum" ("The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum") and "Die Blechtrommel" ("The Tin Drum") – which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film –, both directed by Volker Schöndorff.

Retaining his immense popularity, Adorf has been predominately working in television for the last twenty years, most notably in critically acclaimed miniseries such as "Der Schattenmann" and "Der große Bellheim".

Also after his 80th birthday, Adorf maintained his high-profile and industrious schedule as an actor. He starred as a marzipan manufacturer struggling to save his empire in the made-for-TV movie "Der letzte Patriach" (2010). He then delivered a memorable performance as a Czech war criminal who is confronted by the relatives of his victims after the end of WWII in Nikolaus Leytner's "Die lange Welle hinterm Kiel".

In 2012, Adorf returned to the big screen with "Die Libelle und das Nashorn" ("The Rhino and the Dragonfly"): He plays an aging, narcissistic movie star, who spends an eventful night in a luxury hotel with an upcoming female author, whom he initially dislikes.

He then excelled in Urs Egger's made-for-TV drama "Krokodil" (2013) as a successful writer whose secluded life is turned upside down by a young woman and her little son. In Anna Justice's two-part TV production "Pinocchio" (2013) he featured as the warm-hearted and slightly melancholy woodcarver Gepetto, a distinguished role for Adorf. At the Munich International Film Festival 2013, Lola Randl's "Die Erfindung der Liebe" ("The Invention of Love") premiered. The film that took a long time to finish after the female lead Maria Kwiatkowsky had died unexpectedly in 2011 features Adorf in a minor role as an elegant aristocrat.

He starred in a strong role in "Der letzte Mentsch" ("The Last Mentsch", 2014) as a concentration camp survivor who had started a new life as a "German" after the war and now has to prove his Jewish ancestry in order to be buried on a Jewish cemetery. Shortly after, Adorf featured again in a film widely praised by the critics – Jan Georg Schütte's largely improvised ensemble comedy "Altersglühen" (2014, TV) – where he personified a widower who had promised is dying wife to find a new partner.

After featuring as the main character's father in Dani Levy's comedy "Der Liebling des Himmels" (2015, TV), Mario Adorf returned to where his career had started: The made-for-TV movie "Winnetou" (2016) features him as the murderous bandit Santer once again, just like the original from 1963.

He had a smaller but important role as the strict father of the title character in the comedy "Schubert in Love – Vater werden ist (nicht) schwer" (2016). In the low-budget production "Real Fight" (2017) he played the part of an oligarch, in the much-praised TV comedy "Einmal Sohn, immer Sohn" (2018) with Christiane Hörbiger he made a fine guest appearance as a star architect.  

In 2018, the city of Worms and the Nibelungenfestspiele Worms awarded the Mario-Adorf Prize, named after Adorf, for the first time. The prize is awarded to participants of the Nibelungenfestspiele. Adorf himself, who was one of the initiators of the festival in 2002 and has been a member of the board of trustees since, is also a member of the jury.   

In 2018 he starred in the title role of the ZDF documentary drama "Karl Marx - Der deutsche Prophet". He played his signature role in the two-parter "Alle für die Mafia" (DE/AT) as a Mafioso, who is banished from Sicily to a South Tyrolean village.   

In 2019 Mario Adorf himself was the subject of a film: In "Es hätte schlimmer kommen können - Mario Adorf" ("It Could Have Been Worse – Mario Adorf") director Dominik Wessely paints a multi-layered portrait of the legendary actor. 

Filmography
2022/2023
War and Justice
  • Voice
2020/2021
Die Erfindung eines Mörders: Der Fall Bruno Lüdke
  • Participation
2019
Alte Bande
  • Cast
2018/2019
Es hätte schlimmer kommen können – Mario Adorf
  • Participation
2018
Pygmalion
  • Cast
2018
Der Unerschrockene: Der Berliner Filmproduzent Artur Brauner
  • Participation
2016/2017
Marina, Mabuse und Morituri
  • Participation
2016/2017
Offene Wunde Deutscher Film
  • Participation
2015/2016
Winnetou
  • Cast
2014-2016
Verfluchte Liebe Deutscher Film
  • Participation
2015/2016
Schubert in Love - Vater werden ist (nicht) schwer
  • Cast
2014/2015
Der Liebling des Himmels
  • Cast
2012-2014
Der letzte Mentsch
  • Cast
2014
Swan Song: Die Geschichte von Billy Wilders "Fedora"
  • Participation
2013/2014
Altersglühen - Speed Dating für Senioren
  • Cast
2013
Pinocchio
  • Cast
2011-2013
Die Erfindung der Liebe
  • Cast
2012
Die Libelle und das Nashorn
  • Cast
2010/2011
Gegengerade - 20359 St. Pauli
  • Cast
2009/2010
Der letzte Patriarch
  • Cast
2008/2009
Das Geheimnis der Wale
  • Cast
2009/2010
Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten
  • Voice
2008/2009
Same Same But Different
  • Cast
2008/2009
Western Legenden - Made in Hollywood
  • Participation
2007/2008
Botero - Geboren in Medellin
  • Voice
2006-2008
Die Rote Zora
  • Cast
2006/2007
Kleiner Dodo
  • Voice
2005/2006
Karol Wojtyla - Geheimnisse eines Papstes
  • Cast
2005
Enigma - Eine uneingestandene Liebe
  • Cast
  • Dialogue
2002-2005
Passion & Poetry. The Ballad of Sam Peckinpah
  • Participation
2005
Es ist ein Elch entsprungen
  • Cast
2002/2003
Till Eulenspiegel
  • Voice
2002/2003
Die Verhoevens
  • Participation
2001/2002
Epsteins Nacht
  • Cast
2000-2002
Die Affäre Semmeling
  • Cast
2002
Heiratsanträge
  • Cast
2002
Berlin, ich komme!
  • Cast
2000
Vola Sciusciù
  • Cast
1999/2000
Ein Mann für jedes Alter
  • Participation
1997-1999
Wilhelm II. - Majestät brauchen Sonne
  • Voice
1998/1999
Ama il tuo nemico
  • Cast
1999
Comeback für Freddy Baker
  • Cast
1998
Die Piraten der Karibik
  • Cast
1997
Alles für die Mafia
  • Cast
1995-1997
Die Furchtlosen Vier
  • Voice
1996/1997
Lokalderby. Eine Stadt im Fußballfieber
  • Participation
1996/1997
Fräulein Smillas Gespür für Schnee
  • Cast
1996
Amigo-Affäre
  • Cast
1996
Im Visier der Drogenmafia
  • Cast
1996
Der Maulwurf
  • Cast
1994/1995
Der kleine Lord
  • Cast
1996
Schwarzmüller
  • Cast
1996
Rossini - oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief
  • Cast
1995/1996
Alles nur Tarnung
  • Cast
1994/1995
Der Schattenmann
  • Cast
1994
Ein Freund, ein guter Freund. Heinz Rühmann 1902-1994
  • Participation
1994
Ein Freund, ein guter Freund - Heinz Rühmann 1902-1994
  • Cast
1994
Höchstpersönlich: Mario Adorf
  • Cast
1993/1994
Felidae
  • Voice
1993/1994
Missus
  • Cast
1993
Maus und Katz
  • Cast
1992/1993
König der letzten Tage
  • Cast
1993
Amigomío
  • Cast
1992/1993
Münster - ein Käfig voller Geschichte
  • Cast
1993
Bauernschach
  • Cast
1991/1992
Der große Bellheim
  • Cast
1991
Die Kaltenbach-Papiere
  • Cast
1990/1991
Pizza Colonia
  • Cast
1990/1991
Ex und Hopp
  • Cast
1989
Der Prozeß des Galileo
  • Cast
1989/1990
Stille Tage in Clichy
  • Cast
1990
Café Europa
  • Cast
1989
Maxantimo
  • Cast
1988/1989
Enrico Fermi - Sein Weg zum Ruhm
  • Cast
1988/1989
Franziskus
  • Cast
1988/1989
Keine Gondel für die Leiche
  • Cast
1987/1988
Rausch der Verwandlung
  • Cast
1986/1987
Heimatmuseum
  • Cast
1988
Rosamunde
  • Cast
1986/1987
Des Teufels Paradies
  • Cast
1986
Mino
  • Cast
1984-1986
Kir Royal. 1. Wer reinkommt, ist drin
  • Cast
1985/1986
Momo
  • Cast
1985
Via Mala
  • Cast
1984/1985
Flucht ohne Ende
  • Cast
1984/1985
Marie Ward - Zwischen Galgen und Glorie
  • Cast
1984/1985
Coconuts
  • Cast
1983/1984
Klassenverhältnisse
  • Cast
1982
Die Linden von Lautenbach
  • Cast
1981/1982
Nina
  • Cast
1981
Lola
  • Cast
1980
Gesucht wird... Drei Geschichten um nicht ganz ehrenwerte Herren
  • Cast
1979/1980
Giganten der Landstraße
  • Cast
1979
Milo Milo
  • Cast
1978/1979
Die Blechtrommel
  • Cast
1977/1978
Fedora
  • Cast
1977/1978
Deutschland im Herbst
  • Cast
1977/1978
Deutschland im Herbst. Episode 13: Die verschobene Antigone
  • Cast
1977/1978
Taugenichts
  • Cast
1977
Der Hauptdarsteller
  • Cast
1977
Tod oder Freiheit
  • Cast
1976
Mein Kind. Lieder von und mit Anja Hauptmann
  • Participation
1976
Bomber und Paganini
  • Cast
1976
Gefundenes Fressen
  • Cast
1975/1976
Warum bellt Herr Bobikow?
  • Cast
1975
Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
  • Cast
1974/1975
Der 3. Grad
  • Cast
1975
MitGift
  • Cast
1973
Die Reise nach Wien
  • Cast
1972/1973
Il clan del quartiere Latino
  • Cast
1972
Der Mafia-Boss - Sie töten wie Schakale
  • Cast
1971/1972
Toll trieben es die alten Germanen
  • Cast
1971/1972
King, Queen, Knave
  • Cast
1971/1972
Das Syndikat
  • Cast
1971
Malastrana
  • Cast
1969/1970
Das Geheimnis der schwarzen Handschuhe
  • Cast
1970
Deadlock
  • Cast
1969/1970
Die Herren mit der weißen Weste
  • Cast
1969
Fahrt zur Hölle, ihr Halunken
  • Cast
1968/1969
Maßnahmen gegen Fanatiker
  • Cast
1968/1969
Engelchen macht weiter, hoppe - hoppe Reiter
  • Cast
1969
Krasnaja palatka
  • Cast
1966
Unser Boß ist eine Dame
  • Cast
1965/1966
Ganovenehre
  • Cast
1965/1966
Ich habe sie gut gekannt
  • Cast
1966/1967
Zärtliche Haie
  • Cast
1966
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti
  • Cast
1964/1965
Vergeltung in Catano
  • Cast
1965
Die Herren
  • Cast
1965
Le soldatesse
  • Cast
1964/1965
Die Herren. 1. Episode: Die Intellektuellen
  • Cast
1965
Spione unter sich
  • Cast
1964/1965
Major Dundee
  • Cast
1965
Ten Little Indians
  • Cast
1964
Die Goldsucher von Arkansas
  • Cast
1963/1964
Der letzte Ritt nach Santa Cruz
  • Cast
1963/1964
Vorsicht, Mister Dodd
  • Cast
1964
Polizeirevier Davidswache
  • Cast
1963
Die zwölf Geschworenen
  • Cast
1963
Moral 63
  • Cast
1963
Winnetou I
  • Cast
1962/1963
Die endlose Nacht
  • Cast
1962/1963
Endstation 13 Sahara
  • Cast
1962
Straße der Verheißung
  • Cast
1962
Lulu
  • Cast
1960/1961
Haut für Haut
  • Cast
  • Dubbing
1961
Rennen
  • Voice
1960
Schachnovelle
  • Cast
1960
Mein Schulfreund
  • Cast
1959/1960
Bumerang
  • Cast
1959
Am Tag als der Regen kam
  • Cast
1959
Das Totenschiff
  • Cast
1959
Die Rückseite des Mondes
  • Cast
1958
Das Mädchen Rosemarie
  • Cast
  • Vocals
1958
Schwester Bonaventura
  • Cast
1957/1958
Der Arzt von Stalingrad
  • Cast
1957
Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam
  • Cast
1956/1957
Mädchen und Männer
  • Cast
1956/1957
Robinson soll nicht sterben
  • Cast
1956
Kirschen in Nachbars Garten
  • Cast
1955
08/15 in der Heimat
  • Cast
1954
08/15
  • Cast
Source-URL: https://www.filmportal.de/en/person/mario-adorf_efc0caa3e7b003c1e03053d50b372d46