Began his acting career on stage in Germany in the late 1980s after training to be an Olympic swimmer

After three years of studying acting, he was invited to be a member of Schillertheatre, the national theatre of Berlin

Made his film debut in Der Mitwisser, which earned him Germany's prestigious Max Ophüls Prize as Best Up-and-Coming Actor

Appeared in the World War II epic "Stalingrad" as Nazi officer Hans von Witzland

Cast in Dario Argento's "The Stendahl Syndrome" (1996) and "Prince Valiant" (1997)

Again cast as a Nazi officer in "U-571," with Matthew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel for director Jonathan Mostow

Earned international acclaim as Nazi officer, Wilm Hosenfeld in Roman Polasnki's Oscar-winning "The Pianist"

Had a recurring role on the FOX drama "24"

Co-starred in the feature films In Enemy Hands with William H. Macy and Lauren Holly

Portrayed a Nazi officer in the drama Head in the Clouds, starring Charlize Theron, Penélope Cruz and Stuart Townsend

Cast in Peter Jackson's "King Kong" a remake of the 1933 classic