Karl Scheydt (1942-2001) was a German actor, best known for his prolific collaboration with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. A key member of the Antiteater collective, Scheydt became one of the most recognizable faces of the New German Cinema, characterizing numerous roles as tough men, criminals, or authoritarian figures with his imposing physique and severe expression. Among his most significant performances is his leading role in *The American Soldier* (1970). His filmography includes key Fassbinder works such as *Effi Briest* (1974), *Fox and His Friends* (1975), and *In a Year of 13 Moons* (1978). For the latter film, he and the rest of the cast received a special German Film Award (Deutscher Filmpreis) for ensemble acting. His career, though inextricably linked to Fassbinder, also includes appearances in other German film and television productions, consolidating his image as an essential performer of that historical period.