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.
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Christian is a presenter at a small radio station. His wife Katrin directs traffic in a car park. Bo...
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In 1944, a group of high command officers plot an attempt against Hitler, and one of the leaders of ...
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Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, Atomised (aka The Elementary Particles) focuses o...
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They want to get away from each other, but they clasp each other even more firmly. They seek to save...
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Frank and Simone have fulfilled a dream and live with their two children in a row house in the subur...
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Taking place at the Concentration camp Buchenwald at the end of March 1945, prisoner Hans Pippig dis...
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Four former classmates, Philipp, Leonie, Timo and Yasmin arrange reunion over the weekend in one of ...
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17-year-old Cyril is funny, smart and an all-round good guy. Just his somewhat overlarge nose spoils...
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The real life story of East German singer and writer Gerhard Gundermann and his struggles with music...
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Anna teaches violin at a music school, her husband is an instrument-maker. They have a 10-year-old s...
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In Berlin 1942, Hilde is a member of an anti-Nazi group. She falls in love with another member, Hans...
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Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | From Hilde, with Love (2024) | Dr. Minergerode | - | - |
| 2 | Exit (2020) | Hönings | 6 | |
| 3 | The Audition (2019) | - | - | - |
| 4 | The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (2018) | Taxifahrer Klaus | 9 | |
| 5 | Donbass (2018) | German Journalist | 5 | |
| 6 | Gundermann (2018) | Puppenspieler | 4 | |
| 7 | Das Nebelhaus (2017) | Doros Chef | - | - |
| 8 | Naked Among Wolves (2015) | Hans Bochow | 1 | |
| 9 | Stopped on Track (2011) | - | 6 | |
| 10 | Gravity (2010) | Kollath | - | - |
| 11 | The Elementary Particles (2006) | Hubert | 6 | |
| 12 | Four Windows (2006) | Vater | - | - |
| 13 | Operation Valkyrie (2004) | Peter Graf Yorck v. Wartenburg | 8 | |
| 14 | Gun-shy (2003) | Krausser | - | - |
| 15 | Grill Point (2002) | Christian | - | - |

