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
Der Rücktritt (2014)
as Martin Heidemanns
The Audition (2019)
Actor
Berlin Hero (2025)
as Harald Wischnewsky
The Elementary Particles (2006)
as Hubert
From Hilde, with Love (2024)
as Dr. Minergerode
Sooner or Later (2007)
Actor
Open the Wall (2014)
as Manfred
Donbass (2018)
as German Journalist
Atlas (2018)
as Alfred Hoppe
Naked Among Wolves (2015)
as Hans Bochow
Alfons Zitterbacke (2019)
as Mr. Flickendorf
Willkommen bei Habib (2014)
as Bruno
Operation Valkyrie (2004)
as Peter Graf Yorck v. Wartenburg
Triptych (—)
Actor
Locked in Society (2022)
as Manfred Prohaska
Stopped on Track (2011)
Actor
Gun-shy (2003)
as Krausser
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (2018)
as Taxifahrer Klaus
The Golden Goose (2013)
as Räubervater
Silvi - Maybe Love (2013)
as Michael
Alfons Jitterbit – Class Trip Chaos! (2022)
as Herr Flickendorf
A Stroll to Syracuse (2026)
Actor
Bibi Blocksberg - Die total verhexte Zeitreise (2026)
as Krause
Lunik (2007)
as Toni Harmann
Einschnitt (2015)
as der Bürochef
We Are Young. We Are Strong. (2014)
Actor
Eine riskante Entscheidung (2022)
as Bernhard Elster
Curveball (2021)
as Schatz
In Times of Fading Light (2017)
Actor
Foreign Body (2015)
as Wolfgang
In Liebe eine Eins (2005)
as Herr Steiner
Tiger Milk (2017)
as Stefan
Hunting Season (2022)
as Vermieter
Cicadas (2025)
as Uwe
Heil (2015)
as Verfassungsschützer F. – Sachsen
Die Verteidigerin - Tötungsabsicht (—)
Actor
Auf Doktor komm raus (2010)
as Apotheker Walter
Der zweite Kurzschluss (2023)
as Oliver
Ruhm (2012)
as Klaus Rubinstein
Der zweite Mann (2013)
as Klaus Padberg
Gundermann (2018)
as Puppenspieler
Bach - A Christmas Miracle (2024)
as Adrian Stieglitz
The Last Pig (2016)
as Meier
Alki Alki (2015)
as Thomas
Rübezahls Schatz (2017)
as Arzt
Wahrheit oder Pflicht (2005)
as Lehrer Behnke
November Child (2008)
as Alexander
In Berlin wächst kein Orangenbaum (2020)
as Wärter Grunert
The Policeman's Niece (2025)
as Werner Barth
Charlotte (2004)
as Georg
What You Can See from Here (2022)
as Herr Rödder
Grill Point (2002)
as Christian
Miss Merkel - Ein Kreuzfahrt-Krimi (2025)
as Joachim
Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot (2012)
as Hofrat
Gravity (2010)
as Kollath
Good Girl Gone Bad (2019)
as Helmut Mayer
Sprachlos in Irland (2021)
as Dirk
Underdogs (2008)
as Forster
Roxy (2024)
as Passfälscher
Rough Road Ahead (2015)
Actor
Haltet die Welt an (2010)
as André Spanuth
Hit Mom – Mörderische Weihnachten (2017)
as Professor
Das Nebelhaus (2017)
as Doros Chef
I've Never Been Happier (2009)
as Schlickenrieder
Miss Merkel - Ein Uckermark-Krimi (2023)
as Joachim Sauer
Kleine Eheverbrechen (2023)
as Dieter Beil
Die Weihnachtswette (2006)
as Reinhold
Der Fall Marianne Voss (2024)
as Fritz Malowski
Arschkalt (2011)
as Erhard
Miss Merkel - Mord auf dem Friedhof (2024)
as Achim Sauer
Vom Atmen unter Wasser (2008)
as Jo
Die Frau am Ende der Straße (2007)
as Klaus Garbers
Inklusion - gemeinsam anders (2011)
as Heribert Stein
Frösche petzen nicht (2010)
as Jörg Hilbert
Four Windows (2006)
as Vater
Sushi in Suhl (2012)
as Hans Leutner
Knorx (2019)
as Vogtländer
Brothers (2017)
as Rainer Welke
Up – Down (1994)
as Peet
Silent Country (1992)
as Kai Finke
Exit (2020)
as Hönings
Augen zu (2011)
as Frank
Remarque - Sein Weg zum Ruhm (2008)
as Chefredakteur der „Sport im Bild“
Meer is nich (2007)
as Friedrich
Schwarzer Sommer (—)
as Jan Jürgens
Empathie (2010)
as Rüdiger
Gespensterwald (—)
as Jan Jürgens
Der vierte Mann (2019)
as Kurt Lehrmann
Transport (2004)
Actor
Night to be Gone (2024)
as Dieter
Weisst du eigentlich dass ganz viele Blumen blühen im Park (2011)
Actor
Der große Zusammenbruch (—)
Actor
Kohlhaas or the Proportionality of Means (2013)
as Herse
Sunny (2013)
Actor
Nothing More Perfect (2020)
Actor