Hartmut Becker was born in Berlin May 6, 1938. After university where he studied theatre and philosophy, he went to the UFA Academy of Drama. After completing his studies, he first started a theatre career playing at the state theatres of Braunschweig, Munich, Vienna, Berlin and others. His film debut he made in 1970 with the main role Clark in Michael Verhoeven's feature film "O.K.". The film was the official German contribution at the International Film Festival Berlin 1970 and it's hot political expressiveness "killed" the festival.

After "O.K." Hartmut Becker was one of Germany's busiest actors in film and theatre. More important main parts in films followed like in Verhoeven's "Der Graben", "Mitgift" or "Sonntagskinder". His first leading part in an English language production Becker performed in the BBC-film "Forgive our foolish ways" (1980), where he played the role of a German prisoner of war. He played supporting roles in acclaimed productions like Richard Attenboroughs "A Bridge Too Far" (1977) and Jack Gold's "Escape from Sobibor" (1987).

His other international films include: "Il decimo clandestine" (1989, director: Lina Wertmüller), "A silent conspiracy" (Channel 4), the American "Triumph of the Spirit" (director: Robert M. Young), the English-French Television Film "Free Frenchmen", "Gavre Princip" by Peter Patzak, "Young Catherine" by Michael Anderson, the Italian TV-production "Requiem per Voce e Pianoforte" and the English TV-thriller "The Waiting Time" (ITV 1999; director: Stuart Orme). His last German feature films were "Verfehlung" ("The Culpable", 2015) and "Liebesfilm" ("Love Film", 2018). Becker also played in numerous TV-Series.

From 2007 to 2012 Hartmut Becker was member of the committee of Deutsche Filmakademie (German Academy of Film).

Hartmut Becker died January 22, 2022, age 83.