Herbert Gr÷nemeyer
About
Biography
Biography
One of Germany's biggest pop performer's, Herbert Grönemeyer is primarily known outside of Europe as a key actor in the U-boat-set war movie "Das Boot" (1981). Pursuing both drama and singing in his youth, the handsome Grönemeyer initially found success as an actor, appearing in German television productions during the late 1970s. While his early albums as a solo recording artist weren't successful, he did garner attention for his part in "Das Boot." Determined to make it as a musician, however, Grönemeyer's various recording efforts finally paid off when his 1984 album, 4630 Bochum, became an unexpected hit. Pop stardom in his homeland followed, with Grönemeyer rarely returning to screen acting, content to consistently record and tour, with later albums such as Mensch (2002), adding further successes to his musical career.
Raised in the German city of Bochum, Grönemeyer began playing music as a child. Eventually splitting his time between musical and acting pursuits, he managed to win roles on TV before his singing career found solid footing. In 1981, he starred with Jürgen Prochnow in director Wolfgang Petersen's international breakthrough film, "Das Boot." Two years later, Grönemeyer combined his talents as an actor and musician for the biopic "Spring Symphony" (1983), in which he starred, along with Nastassja Kinski, and composed the score. Although it seemed as though Grönemeyer was on track to become one of Germany's most renowned screen stars, he opted to focus on his music, and finally scored a hit record with 1984's 4630 Bochum.
Before long, Grönemeyer left screen acting behind entirely and continued honing his songwriting and singing skills. In 1999, he founded his own label, Grönland Records, and three years later, he had another major project out, with Mensch becoming one of Germany's all-time bestselling albums. Half a decade later, he returned with the highly successful 12, and that year he also had a brief appearance in Anton Corbijn's "Control" (2007), a moody biopic about Ian Curtis, the late frontman for the post-punk band Joy Division. In 2010, he contributed the film score to Corbijn's thriller "The American," starring George Clooney. Although non-European success had mostly eluded Grönemeyer, in 2013 he released the English-language album I Walk and performed his first concerts in the United States, marking a new phase of his career.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1981
Starred in "Das Boot"
1983
Featured in "Spring Symphony"
1984
Had a hit record with <i>4630 Bochum</i>
1999
Founded his own record label
2002
Had a blockbuster album with <i>Mensch</i>
2007
Appeared in the film "Control"
2010
Scored the movie "The American"
2013
Released his English-language album <i>I Walk</i> in America
