German actor Udo Kier, who played Yuri in “Command and Conquer: Red Alert” and was scheduled to star in “OD”, died at the age of 81 – Hideo Kojima said “there will never be anyone like him again”

German actor Udo Kier, who appeared in more than 200 films, has died at the age of 81.

Gere, who had 275 roles including “My Own Private Idaho,” “Blade,” “Armageddon” and “Dogville,” as well as Madonna's music videos and video games, died Sunday morning, his costar Delbert McBride confirmed. type. Photographer Michael Childers said on social media that Gere died at a hospital in Palm Springs, California. The cause of death has not been released.

The horror film maven had his breakthrough role in 1970's Mark of the Devil, then played Frankenstein in 1973's Frankenstein's Body, and then Dracula in 1974's Blood of Dracula – both produced by artist Andy Warhol. His first American role was in the 1991 film My Own Private Idaho, starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. Madonna is a fan of Gere's work, casting him in her “Erotica” and “Deeper and Deeper” music videos. Later notable roles include “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Johnny Monique,” “Armageddon,” “Armageddon,” and “Blade.” Gere's last film was the political thriller “The Agent,” in which he played a Jewish Holocaust survivor captured during the final years of Brazil's military dictatorship.

In addition to starring in hundreds of movies, Gere is no stranger to the world of video games. He is best known for playing Yuri in the live-action cutscenes that formed part of the story of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, and reprized the role in 2001's Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge.

RIP Udo Kier died today at the age of 81.

His performance as Yuri in Red Alert 2 has always impressed me and is a character I often quote. I'm sorry we couldn't see you in the OD on the island, but thank you for the wonderful memories. pic.twitter.com/d8Y2ZBmV5r

— Bucky|Friends World (@Bucky_cm) November 24, 2025

He later voiced roles in 2017's “Call of Duty: WWII” and 2022's “Martha Is Dead.” He's scheduled to appear in Hideo Kojima and producer Jordan Peele's upcoming horror video game OD, and is indeed part of its trailer, which, seen below, shows off the initial facial scan work. It's unclear whether Kiel will be recast in the upcoming Microsoft game.

Hideo Kojima took social media Tributes were paid to Keir to express his shock at the news.

“I'm speechless,” Kojima said. “It all happened so suddenly. Because of the strike, we couldn't shoot OD for a long time and had to postpone it until next year. Even during that time, Udo and I exchanged emails frequently and we stayed in close contact. When we met in Milan at the end of September, he told me that he was very much looking forward to starting filming again next year. He was also full of energy at the time, which made me laugh with his usual “Udo-isms.”

“I still can't believe this. Udo was more than just an actor. He was truly an 'icon' of his time. We have lost a great 'icon'. There will never be another like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you.”

The Tweeted video below shows Kojima and Kier in Milan in September.

With Udo Kier. pic.twitter.com/6tdXYLY8aW

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 26, 2025

Wesley is IGN News Director. Find him on Twitter: @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at [email protected] or privately at [email protected].