Poland born but German raised Kinski became an actor after WWII ended (he has spent most of as a British POW). He had an undistinguished and mediocre career (his filmography is endless). The few memorable performances he gave were in several of Werner Herzog's films. The collaboration ended in 1987 because of artistic differences during the filming of "Verde Cobra." His later years were spent in Hollywood alternating between splashy high-profile movies and slasher b-movies.