Ulrich Matthes is a renowned German actor and voice actor, celebrated for his versatile performances on stage, in film, and on television.
Born on May 9, 1959, in West Berlin, West Germany, he has built a distinguished career spanning over five decades.
Matthes is widely recognized internationally for his portrayal of Joseph Goebbels in the 2004 historical drama Downfall (Der Untergang), which depicted the final days of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.
Beyond this role, he has earned acclaim for his work in theater ensembles, particularly at the Deutsches Theater Berlin, and for his contributions as a narrator and voice actor in audiobooks and documentaries.
Siblings
Ulrich has at least one sibling, his brother Dieter Matthes.
Dieter is a multifaceted professional who works as a doctor, photographer, and actor.
The brothers share a connection to the arts through Dieter’s acting pursuits, though Ulrich has achieved greater public prominence in the performing arts.
Career
Matthes began his acting journey early, with credits dating back to 1969 as a child performer.
He received formal education at the Evangelisches Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster in Berlin.
His professional stage career took him through various German theaters, including engagements at the Vereinigte Bühnen Krefeld/Mönchengladbach, the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, and the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel.
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In 1988, he joined the Münchner Kammerspiele, followed by a move to the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz in 1992.
Since the 2004/05 season, he has been a key member of the ensemble at the Deutsches Theater Berlin, where he has delivered memorable performances in classics by Chekhov, Albee, Molière, and others.
On screen, Matthes has appeared in numerous films and television productions.
His breakthrough international role came with Downfall, but he has also starred in films like Feuerreiter (1998), The Ninth Day (2004), and A Hidden Life (2019).
He has taken on leading roles in acclaimed television works, such as the Tatort episode Im Schmerz geboren and Bornholmer Straße.
In addition to acting, Matthes is a respected voice actor, lending his talents to audiobooks and earning recognition in that field.
Accolades
Throughout his career, Matthes has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his excellence in acting.
Early honors include the Förderpreis für Literatur der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf in 1985.
For his film work, he won the Bavarian Film Award for Best Actor in 1999 for Rider of the Flames (Feuerreiter).
Theater accolades have been particularly abundant: he received the Gertrud Eysoldt Ring in 2004, the Theaterpreis Berlin, and the DER FAUST theater award in 2008 for his role as Vanya in Uncle Vanya.
The German theater magazine Theater heute named him Actor of the Year in both 2005 and 2008.
In 2015, Matthes achieved a notable sweep of television awards, winning the Grimme-Preis and the Golden Camera for Best German Actor for his performance in the Tatort episode Im Schmerz geboren, along with the German Television Academy Award for Bornholmer Straße.
More recently, in 2023, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class.
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