Thorsten Merten
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Thorsten Merten (born December 4, 1963, in Ruhla) is a German actor. Thorsten Merten originally intended to become a journalist and initially worked as a trainee at the newspaper *Das Volk*. After completing his military service, he underwent acting training from 1986 to 1990 at the "Ernst Busch" Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, where he attended the newly established cabaret department and graduated with a diploma in cabaret performance. This was followed by engagements at various theaters both at home and abroad, including the Théâtre Vidy in Lausanne, the Staatstheater Schwerin, the Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin, the Volksbühne Berlin, and the Deutsches Theater Berlin. For his stage work, he was awarded the Conrad Ekhof Prize in 1999. His notable stage roles include McMurphy in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*, the Ghost in *Hamlet*, as well as roles in *Ivanov*, *Prometheus*, and *Sonnenallee*. In 2024, he played the role of operations manager Kuckuck in the operetta *Messeschlager Gisela* at the Komische Oper Berlin. Merten gained his first experience in front of the camera in 1992 in Andreas Dresen's film *Stilles Land*. He achieved his breakthrough in 2001 with the tragicomedy *Halbe Treppe* (Grill Point), also directed by Dresen. Since then, he has appeared regularly in both feature films and television productions. Merten also gained recognition through roles in *Wilsberg*, *Afrika, mon amour*, *Bella Block*, *Helen Dorn*, *Donna Leon*, and numerous episodes of *Tatort*. From 2013 to 2021, he played the role of precinct chief Stich in the Weimar-based *Tatort* series. Since 2009, he has portrayed Chief Inspector—later Police Commissioner—Martin Fichte in the ZDF series *Spreewaldkrimi*. He has also played lead roles in other productions, including *Silvi* and *Fremdkörper*. In 2021, he received the German Film Award for his supporting role in *Curveball – Wir machen die Wahrheit*. Furthermore, Merten came up with the idea for the Netflix series *Das letzte Wort*, in which he appeared alongside Anke Engelke.
Known for
Credits
The Audition (2019)
Actor
Berlin Hero (2025)
as Harald Wischnewsky
From Hilde, with Love (2024)
as Dr. Minergerode
Open the Wall (2014)
as Manfred
Alfons Zitterbacke (2019)
as Mr. Flickendorf
Der Rücktritt (2014)
as Martin Heidemanns
Curveball (2021)
as Schatz
In Times of Fading Light (2017)
Actor
Stopped on Track (2011)
Actor
We Are Young. We Are Strong. (2014)
Actor
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (2018)
as Taxifahrer Klaus
I've Never Been Happier (2009)
as Schlickenrieder
Locked in Society (2022)
as Manfred Prohaska
Naked Among Wolves (2015)
as Hans Bochow
Atlas (2018)
as Alfred Hoppe
Operation Valkyrie (2004)
as Peter Graf Yorck v. Wartenburg
Bibi Blocksberg - Die total verhexte Zeitreise (2026)
as Krause
Donbass (2018)
as German Journalist
The Elementary Particles (2006)
as Hubert
In Liebe eine Eins (2005)
as Herr Steiner
Sooner or Later (2007)
Actor
Alfons Jitterbit – Class Trip Chaos! (2022)
as Herr Flickendorf
Einschnitt (2015)
as der Bürochef
Rough Road Ahead (2015)
Actor
Der Fall Marianne Voss (2024)
as Fritz Malowski
Remarque - Sein Weg zum Ruhm (2008)
as Chefredakteur der „Sport im Bild“
Auf Doktor komm raus (2010)
as Apotheker Walter
Lunik (2007)
as Toni Harmann
Tiger Milk (2017)
as Stefan
What You Can See from Here (2022)
as Herr Rödder
Foreign Body (2015)
as Wolfgang
The Policeman's Niece (2025)
as Werner Barth
Rübezahls Schatz (2017)
as Arzt
Hit Mom – Mörderische Weihnachten (2017)
as Professor
There Are No Orange Trees in Berlin (2020)
as Wärter Grunert
Miss Merkel - Mord auf dem Friedhof (2024)
as Achim Sauer
Kohlhaas or the Proportionality of Means (2013)
as Herse
Miss Merkel - Ein Uckermark-Krimi (2023)
as Joachim Sauer
Triptych (—)
Actor
Cicadas (2025)
as Uwe
Die Frau am Ende der Straße (2007)
as Klaus Garbers
Vom Atmen unter Wasser (2008)
as Jo
Haltet die Welt an (2010)
as André Spanuth
Silvi - Maybe Love (2013)
as Michael
Willkommen bei Habib (2014)
as Bruno
November Child (2008)
as Alexander
Miss Merkel - Ein Kreuzfahrt-Krimi (2025)
as Joachim
The Golden Goose (2013)
as Räubervater
Gundermann (2018)
as Puppenspieler
Alki Alki (2015)
as Thomas
Gun-shy (2003)
as Krausser
Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot (2012)
as Hofrat
Eine riskante Entscheidung (2022)
as Bernhard Elster
A Stroll to Syracuse (2026)
Actor
The Last Pig (2016)
as Meier
Gravity (2010)
as Kollath
Hunting Season (2022)
as Vermieter
Die Nachrichten (2005)
Actor
Night to be Gone (2024)
as Dieter
Sushi in Suhl (2012)
as Hans Leutner
Heil (2015)
as Verfassungsschützer F. – Sachsen
Wahrheit oder Pflicht (2005)
as Lehrer Behnke
Der zweite Kurzschluss (2023)
as Oliver
Bach - A Christmas Miracle (2024)
as Adrian Stieglitz
Four Windows (2006)
as Vater
Grill Point (2002)
as Christian
Charlotte (2004)
as Georg
Der vierte Mann (2019)
as Kurt Lehrmann
Ruhm (2012)
as Klaus Rubinstein
Das Nebelhaus (2017)
as Doros Chef
Schwarzer Sommer (—)
as Jan Jürgens
Brothers (2017)
as Rainer Welke
Inklusion - gemeinsam anders (2011)
as Heribert Stein
Up – Down (1994)
as Peet
Roxy (2024)
as Passfälscher
Exit (2020)
as Hönings
Die Weihnachtswette (2006)
as Reinhold
Sprachlos in Irland (2021)
as Dirk
Der zweite Mann (2013)
as Klaus Padberg
Good Girl Gone Bad (2019)
as Helmut Mayer
Empathie (2010)
as Rüdiger
Meer is nich (2007)
as Friedrich
Die Verteidigerin - Tötungsabsicht (—)
Actor
Gespensterwald (—)
as Jan Jürgens
Silent Country (1992)
as Kai Finke
Weisst du eigentlich dass ganz viele Blumen blühen im Park (2011)
Actor
Underdogs (2008)
as Forster
Kleine Eheverbrechen (2023)
as Dieter Beil
Frösche petzen nicht (2010)
as Jörg Hilbert
Arschkalt (2011)
as Erhard
Der große Zusammenbruch (2026)
Actor
Knorx (2019)
as Vogtländer
Sunny (2013)
Actor
Augen zu (2011)
as Frank
Transport (2004)
Actor
Nothing More Perfect (2020)
Actor