What’s on > Life in Germany > Newsmakers 2009 August Diehl - Newsmaker 2009
Gestapo Sturbannführer Dieter Hellstrom cocks his Lugar under the table and points it at his enemy with an arrogant smile. Yet his confidence is quickly replaced by the crushing weight of his own mortality when he realizes there is also a gun pointed at him. As schnapps-fuelled Nazi soldiers laugh and sing the background, Death begins walking down the stairs to the cellar bar to make its debut.
 August Diehl at a press conference, Photo: (C) picture-alliance /dpa Fotoreport “Cut!” exclaims director Quentin Tarantino, magically transforming Hellstrom into 33-year-old actor August Diehl. It was all just another day on the set of Inglorious Basterds, Diehl’s latest film which has made him a global celebrity. Though his international success is fairly recent, he has been an influence in the German thespian world for over a decade.
Like father, like son
Born in Berlin on January 4, 1976, August Diehl was the final addition to a highly creative family. His father Hans Diel is a well-known actor, his mother worked as a costume designer and his brother went on to become a composer. A career in creative arts was almost inevitable.
As a result of both parent’s jobs, the Diehl’s moved a lot. August spent his childhood moving back and fourth between Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Bavaria, and France. The family finally settled down back in Berlin, where August passed the Abitur – the final secondary school qualification in Germany.
From the stage to the screen
Known today for his work on the silver screen, Diehl gathered his first acting experience in the theater. When he was 18, he made his theatrical debut, playing Franz Mohr in a high school production of Friedrich Schiller’s Die Räuber. After high school, Diehl enrolled in the renowned Ernst Busch Hochschule für Schauspielkunst acting school.
Diehl made his movie premier in 1998, playing the role of Karl Koch in 23. His portrayal of the young computer hacker earned Diehl the “Best Actor” award at both the 1998 Bavarian Film Awards as well as the 1999 German Film Awards. In 2000, after appearing in Kalt ist der Abendhauch, the European Film Promotion named Diehl one of the “Shooting Stars” of European film.
Between 2002 and 2004 he appeared in such movies as Tattoo, Love the Hard Way, Distant Lights, and Love in Thoughts (earning him the 2004 Undine Award for Best Young Actor in a feature film and the 2005 German Film Critics Association Awards for Best Actor). Diehl’s star continued to shine brighter and in 2006 Gala magazine named him – along with Martine Gedeck – as one of the most important German-speaking actors currently working.
The real Diehl
So far in his career, August Diehl has portrayed a wide variety of characters. From a high-tech criminal, to a homicide detective, to a Gestapo officer, Diehl has shown versatility by playing many different roles at a young age.
Diehl told German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, “I am fascinated by ambivalent characters. I find it interesting to portray the dark side of good characters, or at least something that can throw them off balance.”
Off screen, however, he leads a life that is much more typical than you might expect.
When Diehl is not working he is most likely spending time with his wife – actress Julia Malik – and their infant daughter Elsa Augusta. When not with his family, he might be found listening to a few Radiohead albums with good friend and fellow Inglorious Basterds cast member Daniel Brühl, or reading his favorite poems by Else Lasker.
While there are many in Hollywood hoping to bring Diehl on board for their next project, don’t expect to see him in the next big summer blockbuster. Making his theater professors proud, August tends to stray away from big-budget movies, instead focusing on projects that carry a heavier message than pay check.
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