---
name: "Klaus Maria Brandauer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/klaus-maria-brandauer"
fi1m_id: "klaus-maria-brandauer"
imdb_id: "nm0001970"
tmdb_id: 10647
wikidata_id: "Q78533"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 June 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 59
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-18T11:44:24.272127+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Klaus Maria Brandauer

## Identity

Klaus Maria Brandauer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/klaus-maria-brandauer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** klaus-maria-brandauer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001970
- **TMDB ID:** 10647
- **Wikidata ID:** Q78533
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Maria_Brandauer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78533, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001970/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10647

Actor. Born 22 June 1943 in Bad Aussee, Austria.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 June 1943, Bad Aussee, Austria
- **Active:** 1983–1985
- **Also known as:** Клаус Мария Брандауэр, Klaus Georg Steng
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Maria_Brandauer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78533, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001970/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10647

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Out of Africa*](https://film.one/film/out-of-africa.md) (54)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Klaus Maria Brandauer

> Klaus Maria Brandauer makes ambitious, compromised men worth watching closely. We favour his leading roles with István Szabó, though his charm can also improve a supporting part in a film that does not quite work.

Brandauer often plays men who use their charm to get what they want. In *Mephisto* (1981), his international breakthrough, he plays Hendrik Höfgen, an actor prepared to compromise his principles for his career. It is a good fit for a performer who can make ambition attractive without asking us to approve of it. Director István Szabó went on to cast him as Alfred Redl in *Colonel Redl* (1985) and Erik Jan Hanussen in *Hanussen* (1988). We favour those collaborations because the men's ambition and self-preservation give Brandauer more to work with than charm alone.

That distinction matters with *Out of Africa* (1985), in which Brandauer plays Bror and Hans von Blixen-Finecke. His charm and the nuance he brings to potentially conventional characters are worth noticing, even when the film gives us reasons to lose interest. We found it frustrating because Meryl Streep supplies an emotional urgency that the romance around her too often lacks. Sydney Pollack's film is carefully made, but Robert Redford's reserve and the unhurried pacing keep too much of it remote. We would not recommend its 161 minutes on the strength of Brandauer's contribution alone.

Maximilian Largo, opposite Sean Connery in *Never Say Never Again* (1983), is another example of his usefulness in a potentially routine supporting role. Brandauer can bring enough individuality to such a character to make the casting matter. But these appearances should not obscure the leading work: *Colonel Redl* and *Out of Africa* both appeared in 1985. The English-language parts ran alongside the Szabó films, rather than replacing them.

His later screen work is occasional, with theatre continuing alongside it. It includes Carlo Tetrocini in Francis Ford Coppola's *Tetro* (2009) and a fourth collaboration with Szabó in *Zárójelentés* (2020). For a first encounter, choose *Mephisto*; save *Out of Africa* for an evening when Streep is the attraction.

## Biography

Klaus Maria Brandauer is an Austrian actor and director. Born Klaus Georg Steng on 22 June 1943 in Bad Aussee, he trained at the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart and began his career on stage, appearing at theatres including the Burgtheater in Vienna and the Salzburg Festival.

His breakthrough came with the leading role in István Szabó's *Mephisto* (1981). He gained international recognition for *Never Say Never Again* (1983) and his supporting performance as Bror von Blixen-Finecke in *Out of Africa* (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award. He has collaborated repeatedly with Szabó on films including *Colonel Redl* (1985) and *Hanussen* (1988). Brandauer is a professor at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, filmportal.de.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Out of Africa* (1985), Fi1m 54, as Bror / Hans von Blixen-Finecke — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-africa.md)
- *Never Say Never Again* (1983), Fi1m 64, as Maximilian Largo — [page](https://film.one/film/never-say-never-again.md)

## Complete filmography (81)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Capelli Code* (2021), series, as Rolf Tanner
- *Enemies: Against the Clock* (2021), as Konrad Biegler
- *Enemies: The Confession* (2021), as Konrad Biegler
- *Ferdinand von Schirach: Feinde – Der Prozess* (2021), as Konrad Biegler
- *Final Report* (2020), as Professor Stephanus
- *Mozart: The Magic Flute* (2019), as Narrator
- *Die Auslöschung* (2013), as Ernst Lemden
- *The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich* (2013), as Wilhelm Reich
- *Jedermann Remixed* (2011), as Jedermann (archive footage)
- *Manipulation* (2011), as Urs Rappold
- *Tetro* (2009), as Carlo
- *Kronprinz Rudolf* (2006), series, as Kaiser Franz Joseph
- *Die Wahrheit im Spiel* (2004), Actor
- *Entrusted* (2003), as Gregor Lämmle
- *Bonhoeffer* (2003), as Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- *Poem: I Set My Foot Upon the Air and It Carried Me* (2003), as Actor - Der Schiffbrüchige
- *Between Strangers* (2002), as Alexander Bauer
- *Everyman's Feast* (2002), as Jan Jedermann
- *Druids* (2001), as Julius Caesar
- *The Diver* (2000), as Orlov
- *Belief, Hope and Blood* (2000), Actor
- *Introducing Dorothy Dandridge* (1999), as Otto Preminger
- *Rembrandt* (1999), as Rembrandt van Rijn
- *New Times at Crossroad Street* (1999), Actor
- *Jeremiah* (1998), as King Nebuchadnezzar
- *Balkan Island: The Last Story of the Century* (1997), as Nikola
- *Mario and the Magician* (1994), as Cipolla · Director
- *Felidae* (1994), as Pascal / Claudandus (voice)
- *Becoming Colette* (1991), as Henri Gauthier-Villars
- *White Fang* (1991), as Alex Larson
- *The Russia House* (1990), as Dante
- *The French Revolution* (1989), series, as Georges-Jacques Danton
- *Seven Minutes* (1989), as Georg Elser · Director
- *Spider's Web* (1989), as Benjamin Lenz
- *The French Revolution* (1989), as Danton
- *Burning Secret* (1988), as Baron
- *Innocence Unknown* (1988), as Marionette
- *Hanussen* (1988), as Klaus Schneider / Eric Jan Hanussen
- *Streets of Gold* (1986), as Alek Neuman
- *Out of Africa* (1985), as Bror / Hans von Blixen-Finecke — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-africa.md)
- *The Lightship* (1985), as Captain Miller
- *Quo Vadis?* (1985), series, as Nero
- *Colonel Redl* (1985), as Alfred Redl
- *Kindergarten* (1984), Actor
- *Der Snob* (1984), as Christian Maske
- *Never Say Never Again* (1983), as Maximilian Largo — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/never-say-never-again.md)
- *The Way Out* (1983), as Baron Georg von Wergenthin
- *Jedermann* (1983), as Jedermann
- *The Way Out* (1983), series, as Baron Georg von Wergenthin
- *La quinta donna* (1982), Actor
- *Mephisto* (1981), as Hendrik Höfgen
- *Wochenendgeschichten* (1980), Actor
- *Die Weber* (1980), as Moritz Jäger
- *A Sunday in October* (1979), Actor
- *Jahreszeiten der Liebe* (1979), Actor
- *Die Bräute des Kurt Roidl* (1979), as Kurt Roidl
- *Jean-Christophe* (1978), series, Actor
- *Jean-Christophe* (1978), Actor
- *Die Babenberger in Österreich* (1976), Actor
- *Kabale und Liebe* (1976), Actor
- *Leonce und Lena* (1975), as Prinz Leonie, sein Sohn
- *Frag nach bei Casanova* (1975), as Klaus
- *Derrick* (1974), series, as Erich Forster
- *Wienerinnen* (1974), as Josef Ulrich
- *Was Ihr wollt* (1973), Actor
- *Sonderdezernat K1* (1972), series, as Werner Feldmeister
- *Oscar Wilde* (1972), as Oscar Wilde
- *The Salzburg Connection* (1972), as Johann Kronsteiner
- *Film '72* (1971), series, Actor
- *Emilia Galotti* (1971), as Hettore Gonzaga, Prinz von Guastalla
- *Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung* (1971), as Petrucchio
- *Friede den Hütten! Krieg den Palästen!* (1970), as Georg Büchner
- *Fast ein Hamlet* (1970), as Hamlet
- *Das Wort* (1970), as Willi Langer
- *Juno und der Pfau* (1969), as Johnny Boyle
- *Zwei aus Verona* (1969), as Valentin
- *Der alte Richter* (1969), series, as Oliver
- *Das Käthchen von Heilbronn* (1968), as Gottfried Friedeborn
- *Die Ballade von Peckham Rye* (1966), Actor
- *Maestro*, as Herr Keller
- *L'Inverno*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Klaus Maria Brandauer](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-70c4a92b5b80.jpg) Klaus Maria Brandauer — Manfred Werner / Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Klaus_Maria_Brandauer_Viennale_2012_b_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Klaus_Maria_Brandauer_Viennale_2012_b_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bodenplatte auf dem „Meininger Walk of Fame“ für Klaus Maria Brandauer anlässlich einer Benefizveranstaltung im Jahr 2005 zwecks Restaurierung historischer Bühn (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-9afb82d5a817.jpg) Bodenplatte auf dem „Meininger Walk of Fame“ für Klaus Maria Brandauer anlässlich einer Benefizveranstaltung im Jahr 2005 zwecks Restaurierung historischer Bühn (2020) — Kramer96, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/2005_Brandauer.jpg/1280px-2005_Brandauer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ceduľa Artist´s Mission Award (Hercova misia) na MFF Art Film pripevnená na starom moste slávy v Trenčianských Tepliciach. (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-56d3aeff635e.jpg) Ceduľa Artist´s Mission Award (Hercova misia) na MFF Art Film pripevnená na starom moste slávy v Trenčianských Tepliciach. (2024) — Pilifo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Art_Film_Fest_%282003%29_%E2%80%93_Klaus_Maria_Brandauer.jpg/1280px-Art_Film_Fest_%282003%29_%E2%80%93_Klaus_Maria_Brandauer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-08088da18060.jpg) Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015) — Franz Johann Morgenbesser from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2816774266254%29.jpg/1280px-Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2816774266254%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Klaus Maria Brandauer](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-f7c58040fc72.jpg) Klaus Maria Brandauer — Image via TMDB
- ![Klaus Maria Brandauer](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-e1095a1f5712.jpg) Klaus Maria Brandauer — Image via TMDB
- ![Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-861060585554.jpg) Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015) — Franz Johann Morgenbesser from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2817208992868%29.jpg/1280px-Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2817208992868%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/118368/gallery-9c7e30a9f3db.jpg) Claus Maria Brandauer, Gertraud Jesserer, Helmuth Lohner (2015) — Franz Johann Morgenbesser from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2817209201950%29.jpg/1280px-Claus_Maria_Brandauer%2C_Gertraud_Jesserer%2C_Helmuth_Lohner_%2817209201950%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1986: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Out of Africa*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1986: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won), for *Out of Africa*

### Berlin International Film Festival — 1 won

- 2008: Berliner Bär (won)

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Golden Nymph for Outstanding Actor in a Television Film 2014: Golden Nymph for Outstanding Actor in a Television Film (won), for *Die Auslöschung*
- European Film Award for Best Actor 1988: European Film Award for Best Actor (nominated), for *Hanussen*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/klaus-maria-brandauer