Armin Mueller-Stahl is a German actor, musician, and painter whose career has spanned decades and political borders. After becoming one of East Germany's biggest film stars, he came into conflict with the regime and moved to West Germany in 1980. There, he gained international attention with films such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder's *Lola* and István Szabó's *Colonel Redl*. His Hollywood success began in the late 1980s, with memorable roles in *Music Box*, *Avalon*, and *Night on Earth*. For his portrayal of the father of pianist David Helfgott in *Shine* (1996), he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His subsequent filmography includes notable titles such as David Fincher's *The Game*, David Cronenberg's *Eastern Promises*, and *Angels & Demons*. Among his numerous accolades, he received the Silver Bear at the 1992 Berlin International Film Festival for *Utz* and the Honorary Golden Bear in 2011, a testament to his status as an icon of European and world cinema.