The Polar Bear

Handsome German actor Til Schweiger was voted one of the Most Erotic Male Actors in a 2000 poll in Germany’s Cinema magazine. After his film debut in the comedy Manta, Manta, he won an award for Best Young Actor at the 1993 Max Ophüls Festival. He has since built up acting credits in dozens of German and international movies, in addition to work as a writer, director, and producer. On the small screen, he has appeared on some of Germany’s most popular TV series and appeared as himself on Pop 2000. After his first starring role in Maybe…Maybe Not in 1994, he stuck with comedies until he found a place for himself in action-thrillers and dramas. He combined genres for the road movie Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door in 1997; he co-authored the screenplay and won an award from the Moscow Film Festival for his lead performance. The next year he stayed behind the scenes to direct Der Eisbär (The Polar Bear). Returning to acting, he quickly gained international appeal with Bandyta and eventually ended up in Hollywood for small roles in The Replacement Killers, Judas Kiss, and SLC Punk. He went on to star in the comedy Magicians, the action-thriller Driven, and What to Do in Case of Fire. In 2003, he stuck with Hollywood for U-Boat, Sea Devils, and Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life: Tomb Raider 2. —AllMovie guide