Udo Kier, Actor in Command & Conquer and Kojima’s Upcoming OD, Dies at 81
- Sagar Mankar
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
German actor Udo Kier, known for his distinctive presence in both film and video games, has passed away at the age of 81. His partner, artist Delbert McBride, confirmed the news to Variety, stating Kier died on Sunday morning, November 23, 2025.
Kier’s career extended across more than 200 films, but he also left a significant mark on the gaming industry. Many players will remember him as Yuri in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and Yuri’s Revenge, where his live‑action cutscenes became iconic within the real‑time strategy genre. He later appeared as Dr. Peter Straub in Call of Duty: WWII, a role that placed him directly into one of the franchise’s darker Zombies storylines. More recently, Kier voiced Erich in Martha is Dead (2022), continuing his involvement in interactive media.
Kier was also announced as part of the cast for OD, the upcoming horror project from Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. The game was revealed in 2023 with Kier joining Hunter Schafer and Sophia Lillis in the lineup. Kojima shared a tribute on X following Kier’s passing, described him as “an icon,” and recalled their last meeting in Milan:
"I’m at a loss for words. It all happened far too suddenly. Because of the strike, we weren’t able to shoot “OD” for a long time, and we were forced to reschedule to next year. Even during that time, Udo and I exchanged emails frequently. We stayed in close contact. When we met in Milan at the end of September, he told me how much he was looking forward to the shoot starting up again next year. He was full of energy then too, making me laugh with his usual “Udo-isms.” I still can’t believe this. Udo wasn’t just an actor. He was truly an “icon” of his time. We’ve lost a great “icon.” There will never be another like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you."
Beyond games, Kier’s film career included cult classics such as Flesh for Frankenstein and Blood for Dracula, collaborations with Lars von Trier on Melancholia and Dogville, and appearances in Hollywood productions like Blade and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
OD may now stand as Kier’s final video game role, though it remains unclear how his passing will affect the project’s production. The game is still in development with no confirmed release date.