Heinz Bennent (1921-2011) was a German actor, known for his versatile and intense career in European theatre and cinema. After starting his career on the German stage, he established himself as an actor of great depth, working with internationally renowned directors. His filmography includes memorable roles in films such as Ingmar Bergman's "The Serpent's Egg" (1977) and Volker Schlöndorff's "The Tin Drum" (1979), in which he acted alongside his son David. He achieved international acclaim with the role of Lucas Steiner, the Jewish theatre director in François Truffaut's "The Last Metro" (1980), which earned him a César Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also appeared in notable films such as Costa-Gavras's "Clair de Femme" (1979) and Andrzej Żuławski's "Possession" (1981), consolidating his reputation as a key actor in European auteur cinema of the late 20th century.