PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Udo Kier, the German actor whose icy gaze and strange, scene-stealing screen presence made him a favorite of filmmakers including Andy Warhol, Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, died Sunday. He was 81.

His partner, artist Delbert McBride, told Variety that Mr. Kier died in Palm Springs, Calif.

A longtime arthouse favorite, Mr. Kier also had an unlikely run as a character actor in Hollywood blockbusters including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” with Jim Carrey.

The most recent of Mr. Kier's more than 200 credits in a nearly 60-year career was this year's Brazilian political thriller “The Secret Agent,” which could vie for Oscars and other major awards in the coming season.

Mr. Kier had his breakout as the star of two films produced by Warhol and directed by Paul Morris

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