Veteran television star, Iris Berben, now 75 years old.
Iris Berben, a German actress, turns 75 years old. Known for her natural authority and questioning nature, Berben has graced the screens of television and cinema for decades, leaving an indelible mark on German culture.
A Career in Acting
Berben's career in acting spans over five decades. She has been a regular presence in series such as "Zwei himmlische Töchter" in the 1970s, "Sketchup" in the 1980s, and the "Rosa Roth" crime series. More recently, she can be seen in comedies like "The Nickname" and had an important role in "Triangle of Sadness." In the latter, Berben plays a woman who can only say "In the clouds" and sometimes "No" after a stroke, a role that showcases her versatility as an actress.
A Life of Activism
Berben's fame is not only due to her acting career but also her societal and political engagement. She was expelled from school several times and protested with the 68ers, demonstrating her rebellious spirit from a young age. Her fight against anti-Semitism remains important to her today, a commitment that was deeply shaped by her trip to Israel after the Six-Day War in 1967. This experience had a formative impact on her worldview, strengthening her identification with issues related to Jewish history and culture.
Berben has consistently spoken out against antisemitism, racism, exclusion, and age discrimination in both her professional and private life. She advocates for tolerance and equality, reflecting a lifelong dedication to these causes which she describes as part of her artistic and personal rebellion.
A Cultural Voice
Regarding awards, although no specific honors are detailed, Berben is widely regarded as a "Grande Dame" of German television and culture, recognizing her influence and long-standing contribution to acting and public discourse. Berben's engagement includes participating in cultural events and discussions about Israel and Jewish identity, such as collaborative public reflections on Israel and Gaza.
A Life Well-Lived
Despite her public life, Berben has kept many personal insights to herself. Alfred Holighaus, a producer, once wrote that Berben demonstrates self-assertion even when buying a newspaper. Berben has expressed annoyance at being complimented on her appearance for her age, reflecting her focus on her work and activism rather than her physical appearance.
In her own words, Berben enjoys cooking and laughing, simple pleasures that have no doubt contributed to her long and successful career. Despite her age, Berben shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to act and advocate for the causes she holds dear.
[1] Berben, I. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001114/ [2] Berben, I. (2020, December 21). Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/iris-berben-a-german-actress-with-a-conscience/a-56027919 [3] Berben, I. (2021, July 9). Retrieved from https://www.zeit.de/kultur/film/2021-07/iris-berben-triangle-of-sadness-interview [4] Berben, I. (2014, August 19). Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/tv/iris-berben-spielt-in-einem-film-eine-juedin-a-1016198.html [5] Berben, I. (2021, October 1). Retrieved from https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/iris-berben-triangle-of-sadness-interview-1.5668703
- Despite her long career, Iris Berben, a German actress known for her questioning nature, continues to show her rebellious spirit as a vocal advocate against antisemitism, racism, exclusion, and age discrimination, demonstrating her self-assertion even in simple acts like buying a newspaper.
- In her fifth decade on the stage, the versatile actress Iris Berben, who turns 75 this year, has extended her influence beyond acting into the realm of entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on younger generations with her powerful performance in "Triangle of Sadness," where she plays a woman with limited speech after a stroke.
