Udo Kier, the veteran character actor beloved by horror fans for his hallmark roles in films spanning generations like Suspiria, Blood for Dracula, and Blade, has passed away.

The German actor died Sunday morning in a Palm Springs, California, hospital at the age of 81, according to his partner, artist Delbert McBride, as reported by Variety. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Kier was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1944. As a teenager studying in London, he was discovered by British producer-director Michael Sarne. Kier’s breakout role came in 1970 in Michael Armstrong’s horror film Mark Of The Devil.

However, Kier’s work with Andy Warhol is some of his most famous. He played the lead roles in Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), both directed by Paul Morrissey

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