The 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival is in full swing and doesn't end until January 11.  The Black Tie Awards Gala, which kicked off the festival on January 2, featured A-list stars like Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara and Saoirse Ronan.  While I watched the red carpet walk on TV, I recognized an actor being interviewed whose face I knew, but whose name was a mystery.  He is a character actor who I remember as playing villains in movies and tv shows.  I even think I've seen him in tv commercials and music videos.  Here is his picture; 

Does he look familiar to you?

He looked very familiar to me and then the interviewer mentioned that he lived in Palm Springs.  This caused my ears and interest to perk up because I'm always interested in knowing about famous people living in Palm Springs since I make a living off of Palm Springs tourism.  People are fascinated with celebrity and Palm Springs has a well know historical celebrity past.  This definitely sells the city to older vacationers, but new blood is always good.  Not that this particular 71 year old actor will draw the attention of those under 30, right.  But, he is a celebrity and does currently live in Palm Springs. 

Anyway, this Palm Springs celebrity's name is Udo Kier.  He was born in Cologne Germany, has appeared in over 200 films and has lived in Palm Springs since 1991.  In 1966, Kier was cast in the lead role for the film Road to St. Tropez.   One of the most important films in his early career was Andy Warhol's Frankenstein in 1973.   Another film, Blood for Dracula in 1974, was done by Warhol's studio and produced by Roman Polanski.  Kier played the lead roles of young doctor Frankenstein and young count Dracula.  Other films that people may recognize him from include Blade, My Own Private Idaho, Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Armageddon.   

What I mainly recognize him from is the 1992 video for Madonna's song "Deeper & Deeper".  This happens to be my favorite Madonna song, and I remember him playing this mysterious villain who had the most compelling eyes.  

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