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Eva Mattes
Eva Mattes
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Eva Mattes (German: [ˈeː.fa ˈma.təs] ; born 14 December 1954) is a German-Austrian actress. She has appeared in four films directed by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder (The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Jail Bait [de], Effi Briest and In a Year of 13 Moons). In A Man Like E.V.A. [de] (1984), she played a bearded film director, based on the recently deceased Fassbinder.

Key Information

She has also appeared in two films of Werner Herzog, with whom she was in a relationship. Mattes also appeared in Germany, Pale Mother, and in Enemy at the Gates as the mother of Sasha Filippov. On television, she has played Klara Blum in the police procedural series Tatort.

Mattes lives in Berlin with Austrian artist Wolfgang Georgsdorf and two children.

Awards

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Selected filmography

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Year Title Role Director Notes
1970 o.k. Phan Ti Mao Michael Verhoeven
Mathias Kneissl Katharina Kneissl Reinhard Hauff
1972 The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant Gabriele von Kant Rainer Werner Fassbinder
1972 Jail Bait [de] Hanni Rainer Werner Fassbinder TV film
Desaster Rosi Reinhard Hauff TV film
1974 Supermarket Monika Roland Klick
Effi Briest Hulda Rainer Werner Fassbinder
1976 Naked Massacre Catherine Denis Héroux
1977 Stroszek Eva Werner Herzog
1978 In a Year of 13 Moons Marie-Ann Weishaupt Rainer Werner Fassbinder
1979 David Toni Peter Lilienthal
Union der festen Hand Paula Griguszies Claus Peter Witt [de] TV film
Woyzeck Marie Werner Herzog
1980 Germany, Pale Mother Lene Helma Sanders-Brahms
Céleste Céleste Albaret Percy Adlon
1984 A Man Like E.V.A. [de] E.V.A. (based on Rainer Werner Fassbinder) Radu Gabrea
1986 Now or Never [de] Mo Christel Buschmann [de]
1988 Felix [it] Eva Margarethe von Trotta Anthology film. Segment "Eva"
1993 The Movie Teller [de; cy] Marga Fritsche Bernhard Sinkel
1997 The Cry of Love [de] Simone Behrend Matti Geschonneck TV film
1998 Widows – Erst die Ehe, dann das Vergnügen Molly Dollinger Sherry Hormann
2001 Enemy at the Gates Mother Filippova Jean-Jacques Annaud
Goebbels und Geduldig Magda Goebbels Kai Wessel TV film
2002–15 Tatort Hauptkommissarin Klara Blum TV series (28 episodes)
2014 Fever Franziska Elfi Mikesch [de]

References

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from Grokipedia
Eva Mattes (born 14 December 1954) is a German actress celebrated for her versatile performances in film, television, and theater, particularly within the movement through collaborations with directors and . Born in , , Mattes began her acting career at the age of 12 in 1966, initially gaining attention as a dubbing actress voicing characters such as in Lassie and in the German versions of those series. Over the ensuing decades, she has appeared in approximately 200 feature films, television dramas, and stage productions, often in leading or supporting roles that highlight her range from intense dramatic portrayals to nuanced character work. Her early breakthrough came in Fassbinder's films, including The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972) and Jail Bait (1973), where her raw, emotive style contributed to the era's innovative cinematic landscape. Mattes' association with Herzog produced some of her most acclaimed work, notably as Marie in Woyzeck (1979), for which she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the . She also starred in Herzog's (1977), portraying a resilient woman entangled in personal and social turmoil. In a bold turn, Mattes portrayed Fassbinder himself—disguised as the female alter ego "Eva"—in the 1984 biopic A Man Like Eva, drawing on her intimate knowledge of his troupe to deliver a layered critique of the director's complex persona. Her television career includes the long-running role of Detective Klara Blum in the series' Bodensee episodes from 2002 to 2016, solidifying her status as a familiar face in German media. On stage, Mattes has collaborated with prominent directors such as Peter Zadek and , performing at venues like the Hamburg Schauspielhaus, , and since the 1970s. Her accolades include the Bavarian Film Award for in 1981 for Céleste and earlier German Film Awards for outstanding young performances in 1971 and 1973. Beyond acting, she has narrated radio plays and audiobooks, worked as a voice actress, and pursued a career as a singer starting in 2006. Recent projects include the films Enfant Terrible (2020), The Net (2022), Ungeschminkt (2024), and Krieg oder Frieden (2024), along with ongoing theater engagements, underscoring her enduring influence in German arts.

Early life

Family background

Eva Mattes was born on 14 December 1954 in , , (now ). She is the daughter of Austrian composer and conductor Willy Mattes (1916–2002) and Hungarian-born and dancer Margit Symo (1913–1992). Mattes grew up in a creative household shaped by her parents' professions in music and the , which immersed her in the world of from an early age. Her parents divorced during her childhood, an event she later reflected on without expressing regret over the separation from her father.

Entry into acting

Eva Mattes began her career without any formal training, relying instead on practical experience and her family's artistic influences. Growing up in as the daughter of actress Margit Symo and composer Willy Mattes, she developed an early interest in , starting with dubbing work for in the mid-1960s, including voicing the lead in the German version of . At age 12, in 1966, she made her stage debut, joining local theater productions in where she honed her skills through hands-on involvement in various groups. By her mid-teens, Mattes transitioned to on-screen roles, appearing uncredited in the 1965 film Dr. med. Hiob Prätorius at age 10. Her early professional contacts included the controversial role of Phan Ti Mao in Michael Verhoeven's o.k. (1970), which premiered at the Berlinale and sparked uproar for its depiction of war atrocities. Though she continued dubbing work, including for Pippi Longstocking (1969) where she also performed the theme song, her on-screen breakthrough came later with theater and film projects. In the late 1960s, she established initial professional contacts through experimental theater and film projects in Munich's burgeoning cultural scene, learning the craft amid informal ensembles rather than structured education. Her lack of formal drama school attendance allowed for a raw, intuitive approach that characterized her early work. Around 1970, at age 16, Mattes immersed herself in Munich's circles, joining Rainer Werner Fassbinder's antiteater , which exposed her to innovative stage and film experiments. This period marked her shift from child performer to emerging professional, as she collaborated on boundary-pushing productions that blended theater and cinema.

Career

Breakthrough in

Eva Mattes emerged as a key figure in the movement of the 1970s, a cinematic wave led by innovative directors who critiqued post-war German society through auteur-driven narratives influenced by international art cinema. Her rapid ascent began without formal training, positioning her as a versatile performer in films that explored themes of alienation, gender dynamics, and social marginalization. Collaborations with and in particular highlighted her ability to embody complex, often vulnerable characters, establishing her as a muse for these provocative filmmakers. Mattes' breakthrough came at age 17 with her debut collaboration with Fassbinder in The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972), where she portrayed Gabriele von Kant, the detached daughter of the protagonist in this intimate drama of obsession and power imbalances among women. She continued working with Fassbinder in three more films that decade, including Jail Bait (1973), in which she played Hanni, a rebellious underage girl entangled in a taboo relationship that underscores generational conflict and societal hypocrisy. Her roles extended to the period adaptation (1974), a meticulous reimagining of Fontane's novel about a woman's stifled existence in 19th-century , and In a Year with 13 Moons (1978), where she contributed to the film's raw examination of identity and loss following the protagonist's . Mattes also partnered with Herzog, embodying resilient yet tragic figures in his visceral portrayals of human desperation. In Stroszek (1977), she played Eva, a beleaguered prostitute escaping abuse in alongside the protagonist's ill-fated , capturing the quiet despair of displacement. Her performance as Marie in Woyzeck (1979), the unfaithful wife in Herzog's stark adaptation of Georg Büchner's play, drew critical acclaim for its emotional depth amid the soldier's descent into madness and violence. Earlier in the decade, Mattes appeared in other defining works, such as Michael Verhoeven's controversial O.K. (1970), where she took on the harrowing role of a Vietnamese girl victimized in a transposed allegory set in , sparking debate on war's atrocities. She followed this with Mathias Kneissl (1971), directed by Reinhard Hauff, portraying Katharina Kneissl in a folkloric tale of a Bavarian resisting authority, further cementing her presence among the movement's emerging talents. Through these roles, Mattes became synonymous with the era's bold experimentation, serving as a vital interpreter of its introspective and politically charged visions.

Television roles

Eva Mattes made her early television appearances in the through several German TV productions, including the documentary-style TV movie Eva Mattes: Fragen an die Mutter (1980), where she appeared as herself discussing her career and family. She also portrayed Franziska von Hohenheim in the historical TV series Schubart und Franziska von Hohenheim (1982) and played a character named Eva, a actress, in the TV film Liebe Melanie (1983). These roles built on her reputation from 1970s films in , allowing her to transition into broadcast television. Mattes achieved widespread recognition on German television with her lead role as the no-nonsense forensic pathologist and chief inspector Klara Blum in the long-running crime series , specifically the Konstanz/Bodensee team episodes. She portrayed Blum from 2002 to 2016 across 31 episodes, often partnering with Sebastian Bezzel as her colleague Kai Perlmann, investigating complex murders around with a focus on psychological depth and regional authenticity. The character's departure was announced in 2014, with the final episode airing in December 2016, marking the end of the Konstanz team after over 14 years. In addition to Tatort, Mattes starred in other notable TV projects, including the family drama series Lena Lorenz (2015–), where she played Eva Lorenz, the supportive mother of the titular midwife navigating rural Bavarian life and personal challenges, with episodes continuing into 2025. Her portrayal of Klara Blum significantly impacted German TV culture, introducing a strong, unconventional female investigator that resonated with audiences and elevated Tatort's Bodensee episodes to cult status, reaching millions weekly and solidifying Mattes as a household name in serialized drama. The role's popularity stemmed from Blum's blend of professional rigor and personal vulnerability, influencing perceptions of on screen.

Theater performances

Eva Mattes began her stage career in 1966 at the age of twelve with her debut in the thriller Warte bis es dunkel ist by Frederick Knott at the Tribüne in , where she portrayed Gloria under director Goldbaum. That same year, she appeared as Jacky in Dr. med. Hiob Prätorius at the Kleine Komödie in , directed by K.H. Schroth. These early performances marked her entry into experimental theater scenes in during the late , influenced by the avant-garde movements of the era, and she later extended this work to in the , including a role as Frau Elvstedt in Ibsen's at the Freie in 1973, directed by . Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Mattes established herself at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in , collaborating with prominent directors such as Peter Zadek and Wilfried Minks on both classical and contemporary productions. Notable roles included Maria Stuart in Schiller's Maria Stuart (1989, directed by Michael Bogdanov), Rosalind in Shakespeare's (1986, directed by Zadek), and the title character in Kleist's (1986, directed by Gerhard Kaminsky), showcasing her command of dramatic intensity in historical and tragic works. She also took on contemporary pieces, such as the teacher in Andi (1987, directed by Zadek) and Joanne in Verlorene Zeit (1987, directed by Zadek), blending innovative interpretations with established at venues like the in , where she played Portia in Shakespeare's from 1988 to 1995. Mattes demonstrated versatility across genres, performing in musicals and operettas as well as straight dramas; for instance, she embodied Lola Lola and Wirtin Guste in the musical adaptation of The Blue Angel (1992) at the Theater des Westens in Berlin, directed by Zadek and Jerome Savary, and appeared as Cousine in Offenbach's La Périchole (1976) at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, directed by Savary. Following a period focused on television after 2002, she returned to the stage post-2016, notably in Hamburg productions. In 2020, she performed in Anton Chekhov's Ivanov at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, directed by Karin Beier in an adaptation by Beier and Rita Thiele, contributing to the ensemble in this exploration of existential crisis. Over her career since 1966, Mattes has amassed approximately 200 stage appearances, spanning experimental beginnings to acclaimed interpretations of diverse theatrical forms.

Recent projects

Following her departure from the long-running role of Klara Blum in Tatort in 2016, Eva Mattes has maintained a diverse portfolio of screen and stage work, emphasizing character-driven dramas and occasional forays into animation and music. In 2020, Mattes portrayed , the veteran actress known for her collaborations with , in Oskar Roehler's biographical drama Enfant Terrible. The film chronicles Fassbinder's tumultuous rise and personal excesses in 1970s , with Mattes' performance evoking Mira's real-life poise amid the director's chaotic world, thereby linking back to Mattes' own early career ties to Fassbinder's . Mattes returned to television in supporting capacities during the early , including a guest appearance as the steadfast matriarch Liesl Mooshammer in the 2023 crime comedy Rehragout-Rendezvous, the ninth installment in the Eberhofer series directed by Ed Herzog. In this lighthearted Bavarian , her character navigates domestic upheaval and village intrigue, providing amid a investigation. She continued with a key supporting role as , a member grappling with long-buried secrets, in the 2024 TV drama Ungeschminkt (also known as Josefa's Return), directed by Kummer. The story follows a woman's return to her rural Austrian roots after decades away, exploring themes of identity, , and generational trauma through intimate ensemble dynamics. Mattes has also lent her distinctive voice to animation, notably as a narrator in the 2016 Netflix adaptation Revolting Rhymes, a stylized retelling of Roald Dahl's twisted fairy tales directed by Philip Hunt and Jakob Schuh, where she contributed to the film's wry, adult-oriented tone alongside international talent like Gemma Arterton and Dominic West. While specific additional animation projects in the 2020s remain limited in her credits, her vocal work underscores her versatility in multimedia storytelling. On the musical front, Mattes released her debut album in 2006, a collection of English-language standards that showcased her cabaret-style delivery and marked her pivot toward performance. This singing endeavor has extended into the 2020s through integrated theater pieces, such as collaborative literary-musical events blending readings with song. As of November 2025, Mattes sustains her presence in Berlin-centric productions, including the 2024 Krieg oder Frieden and stage engagements. Notable recent work includes the November 2025 performance of at Vienna's Theater Akzent, a musical-literary adaptation co-performed with singer Etta Scollo, reflecting her continued exploration of narrative and melody in intimate venues.

Personal life

Relationships

Eva Mattes had a romantic relationship with filmmaker Werner Herzog in the 1970s, which lasted approximately three to four years and resulted in the birth of their daughter, Hanna, in 1980. The couple never lived together, and their partnership remained largely private, though it fostered close personal ties that influenced Mattes' early career choices. From the mid-1980s until 2024, Mattes was in a long-term partnership with Austrian artist Wolfgang Georgsdorf, spanning over 30 years; they resided together in after he relocated from in 1991 following an initial four-year long-distance phase. This relationship, which produced a , Josef, in 1989, intertwined with creative influences, as Georgsdorf's work in olfactory art occasionally overlapped with Mattes' artistic circles. The partnership ended amicably amid personal challenges, with Mattes later reflecting on the emotional toll of the separation. Following the end of her partnership with Georgsdorf in 2024, Mattes has been single as of 2025. Throughout her life, Mattes has maintained a deliberate emphasis on regarding her romantic partnerships, rarely sharing details beyond what directly pertains to her family or professional intersections, a stance she shares with former partner . She has described herself as someone who flirts openly but guards deeper personal matters from public scrutiny.

Children and legacy

Eva Mattes has two children: a daughter, Hanna Mattes, born in 1980 from her relationship with director , and a son, Josef Mattes, born in 1989. Hanna Mattes has pursued an artistic career as a and performer, with her work featured in exhibitions such as "Take Me To That Landscape" at Printed Matter New York Art Book Fair and a collaborative show "Indien" with her mother at Belmacz gallery in 2025. Josef Mattes has followed a path in , appearing in films and television series including Die Helden aus der Nachbarschaft (2008) and Krimi.de (2005). As of 2025, Mattes resides in Berlin-Kreuzberg and increasingly spends time at her house with a garden in , where she shares the space with her daughter Hanna, maintaining close family ties that support her ongoing professional commitments. As a prominent figure in , Mattes' portrayals of resilient and multifaceted women, notably as Lene in Helma Sanders-Brahms' Germany Pale Mother (1980), have cemented her legacy as an influential actress who advanced representations of female experiences during and after , inspiring later generations of German performers.

Awards and honors

Film awards

Eva Mattes has garnered significant recognition for her film roles, especially in the era, with awards highlighting her versatile portrayals in works by directors and . Her breakthrough supporting performance earned her the inaugural (Deutscher Filmpreis, also known as the Filmband in Gold) for Best Performance by a Young Actress in 1971, for her role in Michael Verhoeven's O.K.. This honor marked her as a rising talent in German cinema. In 1973, Mattes won the for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting for her depiction of Marlene in Fassbinder's The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, praised for its emotional depth and subtlety in ensemble dynamics. She received a for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading at the 1978 German Film Awards for her portrayal of Eva in Herzog's , a tragicomic exploration of displacement and the . These nominations and wins underscored her ability to anchor intense, character-driven narratives. Mattes achieved international acclaim with the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award at the for her role as Marie in Herzog's , where her nuanced performance as a resilient yet vulnerable partner contributed to the film's nomination for the . In 1981, she was honored with the Bavarian Film Award for for embodying Céleste Albaret in Percy Adlon's Céleste, a biographical drama capturing the quiet devotion of Marcel Proust's housekeeper. Additionally, she received the award at the 1983 for her leading role as Lene in Helma Sanders-Brahms' , Pale Mother, a poignant examination of a woman's endurance through and its aftermath. These accolades reflect her enduring impact on German and European cinema.
YearAwardCategoryFilmDirector
1971Best Performance by a Young ActressO.K.
1973Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting RoleThe Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
1978Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (nomination)
1979Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1981Bavarian Film AwardBest ActressCéleste
1983Munich Film FestivalBest ActressGermany, Pale MotherHelma Sanders-Brahms

Television and theater recognitions

Eva Mattes received a nomination for the Bavarian TV Award in 2010 for Best Actress in a Series or Miniseries for her role as Klara Blum in the episode Polizistinnenmörder of the long-running crime series Tatort. In theater, Mattes was honored with the Theaterpreis Hamburg – Rolf Mares in 2021 as Outstanding Actress for her portrayal of Kirke in Elfriede Jelinek's Lärm. Blindes Sehen. Blinde sehen! at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, where the jury praised her majestic and transformative performance amid the challenges of the pandemic premiere. Throughout her career, Mattes has garnered recognitions for her contributions to over 200 television films, series episodes, and stage productions since 1966, reflecting her enduring impact in these mediums.

Filmography

Feature films

Eva Mattes emerged as a key figure in New German Cinema during the 1970s, frequently collaborating with auteur directors to portray multifaceted female characters in introspective dramas that critiqued society and personal relationships. Her roles often highlighted themes of resilience, emotional turmoil, and gender dynamics, contributing to the movement's international acclaim. Over the decades, she transitioned to international productions and contemporary German films, maintaining a focus on character-driven narratives across genres like drama and war epics. Her breakthrough came in Rainer Werner Fassbinder's The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972), where she portrayed Gabriele, the object of unrequited affection in a psychologically intense exploration of obsession and power imbalances within a fashion designer's world. In Jail Bait (1973), also directed by Fassbinder, Mattes played Hanni, a rebellious teenager navigating family conflicts and societal constraints in this coming-of-age drama. Mattes continued her association with Fassbinder in (1974), embodying Hulda, the chambermaid who witnesses the unraveling of a 19th-century in this period adaptation emphasizing women's limited agency. That same year, in Roland Klick's (1974), she took on the role of Monika, a young woman entangled in a tense standoff during a supermarket siege, blending crime thriller elements with social commentary on alienation. A pivotal collaboration with followed in (1977), where Mattes starred as Eva, a vulnerable prostitute escaping abuse by emigrating to America, only to face disillusionment in this poignant critiquing the . She reunited with Herzog for (1979), playing Marie, the faithful yet tempted partner of a beleaguered soldier in this raw adaptation of Georg Büchner's play, underscoring themes of exploitation and madness. In Helma Sanders-Brahms' Germany Pale Mother (1980), a cornerstone of , Mattes delivered a standout performance as Lene, a working-class woman enduring the hardships of and postwar recovery, drawing from the director's family history to personalize broader . Returning to Fassbinder, she appeared in In a Year of Thirteen Moons (1981) as Marie-Ann, a supportive figure in the protagonist's tragic journey, amplifying the film's examination of identity and marginalization. Mattes' international crossover came with Enemy at the Gates (2001), directed by , in which she portrayed Mother Filipov, a resilient Stalingrad resident aiding Soviet snipers during in this Hollywood war thriller. In A Man Like Eva (1984), she portrayed the female alter ego of in this biopic, drawing on her experiences with the director. Later works include Mahler on the Couch (2010), directed by Percy and Felix Adlon, where Mattes embodied Anna Moll, Alma Mahler's mother, in this biographical drama blending history and . Her role in Oskar Roehler's Enfant Terrible (2020) saw her as , a key figure in Fassbinder's troupe, in this stylized biopic tracing the director's rise and fall, marking a meta-reflection on her own ties to him. Recent projects include Ungeschminkt (2024), as Petra, and Krieg oder Frieden (2024).

Television series and films

Eva Mattes has built a substantial body of work in German television, spanning procedural crime dramas, family series, and intimate TV films that often explore personal and societal tensions. In the 1994 Cold War-era drama The Promise (Das Versprechen), Mattes played Barbara, a woman navigating love, betrayal, and separation across the divided , highlighting the human cost of political barriers in a poignant family story. She delivered a compelling performance as Simone in the 1997 TV film Der Schrei der Liebe, embodying a woman confronting emotional turmoil and relational strife in a raw exploration of domestic life and vulnerability. Mattes portrayed Kresenz Horger in the 1999 Jew Boy Levy (Judenboxer Levy), depicting the supportive yet conflicted partner of a Jewish boxer facing rising in pre-war , adding depth to themes of resilience and prejudice. In 2001, she took on the intense role of in the TV film Goebbels und Geduldig, bringing nuance to the wife of the Nazi propagandist in a satirical yet harrowing depiction of historical figures under pressure. Mattes achieved widespread recognition for her portrayal of Hauptkommissarin Klara Blum in the procedural series from 2002 to 2016, appearing in 29 episodes as the sharp-witted, no-nonsense lead investigator in the team, solving intricate murder mysteries alongside partner Kai Perlmann. As the narrator in the 2011 documentary-style TV film Under Snow (Unter Schnee), Mattes provided a reflective for Ulrike Ottinger's exploration of life in Japan's snowbound Echigo region, weaving tales of tradition, isolation, and human adaptation. In the 2012 family adventure TV film Sams im Glück, she played Frau Mon, a quirky neighbor figure who aids young protagonists in their whimsical quest, blending drama with lighthearted elements of childhood wonder. Mattes starred as Franziska in the 2014 TV film Fieber (Fever), a photographer haunted by repressed childhood memories tied to her father's mental instability, delving into themes of trauma and reconciliation. From 2015 onward, she has portrayed Eva Lorenz, the steadfast matriarch, in the ongoing family drama series Lena Lorenz, appearing in over 48 episodes as of 2025 as the mother of a returning to rural , navigating generational conflicts and heartfelt support amid life's challenges. In a guest role in the 2023 comedic drama TV film Rehragout-Rendezvous, Mattes played Liesl Mooshammer, the feisty grandmother sparking family chaos by going on a cooking strike during the holidays, infusing humor into rural Bavarian dynamics.

References

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