Austrian-born film actor Helmut Berger is well recognized for his parts in Luchino Visconti’s contemporary masterpieces. Helmut Steinberger, who was born in Salzburg in 1944, chose not to accept the opportunity to take over the family hotel business and instead stayed in Salzburg and worked as a server there to help pay for acting school. After that, he spent some time in France before moving to Italy to attend the University of Perugia.
It wasn’t until Luchino Visconti chose him from a bunch of “extras” in 1964, while Vague Stars of Ursa… (1965) was being filmed, that his acting career, which had initially been limited to French and Italian commercials, really took off.
Berger got media recognition and was given the opportunity to feature in some of Visconti’s films as a result of his relationships with the filmmaker, with whom he spent 12 years working. Berger frequently portrayed antagonists who were depraved, tortured souls. In spite of his struggles with alcoholism in the early 1980s, he continued to perform throughout the 1970s.
Helmut Berger’s top movies and TV shows
The Damned (1969) (“The Damned), Ludwig (1973), Conversation Piece (1974), Dynasty (1981), Saint Laurent, and Zapping Alien, are a few of the top movies and TV shows Berger featured on.
Helmut Berger Awards and nominations
Special Teddy Award 2007, David di Donatello Special Award 1973 and Golden Globe Award for Best New Star of the Year 1970 are the awards nominations and awards Berger has won
