From East Germany to Hollywood: Armin Mueller-Stahl at 90
The famous actor s path from GDR drama school dropout to Hollywood movie star is undoubtedly one of the most unusual acting career paths of the post-war era.
Armin Mueller-Stahl was born on December 17, 1930, in Tilsit, then part of East Prussia, a former German territory that today is part of Russia. After his father died during WWII, his mother, a doctor, brought up her five children on her own.
Mueller-Stahl first studied musicology and violin performance, but dropped musical pursuits after receiving his degree, as the life of a concert violinist wasn t to his liking. He enrolled in a drama school in East Berlin but was reportedly dismissed due to lack of talent.