Hans Hirschmüller (born 1940) is a German actor, author, and director, best known for his artistic partnership with Rainer Werner Fassbinder and for being a key member of his Antiteater collective. He achieved international fame for his role as the tragic protagonist Hans Epp in the film *The Merchant of Four Seasons* (1971), a performance that earned him the Deutscher Filmpreis (German Film Award) for Best Actor. His collaboration with Fassbinder continued in several other cult films, including *The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant* (1972) and *Ali: Fear Eats the Soul* (1974). In addition to his acclaimed acting career, Hirschmüller has also distinguished himself as a director and screenwriter, directing his own works such as the film *Sehnsucht nach Sodom* (1989). He has continued to be a constant presence in German cinema and television, solidifying his reputation as a versatile performer and an important figure of the New German Cinema.