Biografia
Thure Riefenstein is a German-Serbian actor, writer, and producer who began his career at renowned German theaters like the Berliner Ensemble and Hamburger Schauspielhaus after completing drama school. He is widely recognized for portraying strong, enigmatic heroes and villains in numerous international films and TV series.
Riefenstein has collaborated with acclaimed directors including Academy Award winners Steven Soderbergh in Behind the Candelabra (2013) and Jan Svěrák in Dark Blue World (2001). He has acted alongside Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, guest-starred with Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton in Leverage (2008), and appeared with Tim Robbins in The Brink (2015). He held leading roles in The Crusaders (2001) opposite Academy Award nominees Armin Mueller-Stahl, and in Baltic Storm (2003) alongside Golden Globe winners Donald Sutherland and Greta Scacchi.
His notable television work includes the International Emmy Award-nominated French spy film Julie, chevalier de Maupin (2004), starring with Marisa Berenson, Pierre Arditi, and Gottfried John. Riefenstein earned a Best Actor nomination for The Night a Village Vanished (2009), Germany’s official entry for the 2010 International Emmy Awards. He portrayed Detective Stefan Deuter in Kommissarin Lucas (2003), a series nominated for the Adolph Grimme Award among others.
Fluent in four languages and skilled with various accents, Thure excels in portraying complex characters such as Adolf Hitler in Die Machtergreifung (2012) and trickster villains in action films like Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit (2008). He also played the dark, tormented circus performer Magnus opposite John Rhys-Davies and Deborah Kara Unger in Sophie & Sheba (2010). His range spans from gentle romantic leads to quirky artists in black comedies like 666 - Traue keinem, mit dem Du schläfst! (2002).
Dedicated to continuous growth, Thure studies his craft with esteemed teachers including Doug Warhit, Tim Robbins, Cynthia Ettinger (Actors Gang), Dustin Hoffman (Masterclass), Sam Christensen, Michelle Danner, Kristen Linklater (NY), Nelia Veksel (Russia), and Vlad Mugur (Romania). He is also a writer and director, a graduate of John Trubys’ screenwriting masterclass, and has won awards for his projects Lonely Nights and God Is No Soprano, where he served as writer, director, and producer.
Riefenstein is a member of the Deutsche Filmakademie, Germany’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and has served as a juror for the International Emmy Awards and various film festivals.
