Veronica Maria Cäcilia Ferres (German pronunciation: [veˈʁoːnikaː ˈfɛʁɛs] ; born 10 June 1965) is a German actress.[1] Her 2007 portrayal of Sara Bender in Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie, based on the true story of Jutta Fleck, earned her the award for Best Actress at the Deutscher Fernsehpreis (German Television Awards).

Veronica Ferres
Ferres in 2017
Born
Veronika Maria Cäcilie Ferres[1]

(1965-06-10) 10 June 1965 (age 59)
OccupationActress
Years active1992–present
Spouse
(m. 2014)
ChildrenLilly Krug
AwardsSee Awards
Websiteveronicaferres.com

Early life

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Ferres was born in Solingen. She grew up as the youngest child and only daughter of Peter Ferres, a coal and potato merchant, and his wife Katharina.[1][2]

She completed her Abitur at the Gymnasium Schwertstraße in Solingen,[3] and then completed a German, theatre studies and psychology[4] degree at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.[5]

Career

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In Germany, Ferres's breakthrough came with the title role in the 1996 comedy film The Superwife, followed by starring roles in films such as the Schtonk!, Rossini [de], Klimt (alongside John Malkovich) and Saviors in the Night, making her a household name in Germany. Her TV productions include The Manns, Destined to Witness [de], The Woman from Checkpoint Charlie [simple], The Miracle of Berlin [de], Marco W. – 247 Days in a Turkish Prison [de], and She Deserved It [de], among others.

Her awards include the Grimme-Preis, the German Television Award, the Bavarian TV Award, the Golden Camera Award, and the Bambi Award. She played the female lead in Jedermann (Everyman), the traditional opening play of the Salzburg Festival, considered the highest honor in German stagecraft.

In 2013, Ferres shot the international feature Hector and the Search for Happiness with Simon Pegg and Jean Reno, and played the main role in the feature film Casanova Variations, again with John Malkovich. Her 13th international production, The Devil's Violinist, was released theatrically in late 2013. In 2015, she starred opposite Nicolas Cage in the thriller Pay the Ghost, directed by Uli Edel. In 2016, she had the leading role in Werner Herzog's film Salt and Fire, co-starring Michael Shannon and Gael García Bernal. Ferres also co-starred in The Comedian, her 17th English feature film, along with Robert De Niro, Leslie Mann, and Danny DeVito. She was able to display her comedic talent in the cinema comedies “DER NANNY” written and starring by Matthias Schweighöfer, “UNTER DEUTSCHEN BETTEN” and an episode of the hit series “JERKS”, among others.

The ARD feature film “MEISTER DES TODES” by Daniel Harrich even gathered political attention. The film, based on Harrich’s journalistic research into illegal arms exports, prompted several investigations against arms manufacturers in Germany. The second part “MEISTER DES TODES 2” followed in 2020. The short film “MALOU” by director Adi Wojaczek and producer Patrick Mölleken, premiered at the 23rd L.A. Shorts International Film Festival in Los Angeles. At the 22nd Manhattan Short Film Festival, it was on the Academy Award shortlist for 2020. In 2019 her filmography included “CRISIS” with Gary Oldman and Luke Evans, the mystery thriller “THE DARKER THE LAKE” directed by Lok Kwan Woo and the romantic comedy “LOVE, WEDDINGS AND OTHER DISASTER” starring Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons. Furthermore, she appeared in “BEST SELLERS” with Michael Caine and in “EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE” with Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, and Sam Claflin. In 2020, she starred in the thriller “ZERO CONTACT” alongside Anthony Hopkins. In 2021, she shot “PARADIES HIGHWAY” with Juliette Binoche and Morgan Freeman, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival.

In 2022 she starred in the action thriller “THE BRICKLAYER” alongside Aaron Eckhart and Nina Dobrev. Furthermore, Veronica played a leading role in the popular German television series “TATORT” in the episode “Königinnen” directed by Rudi Gaul.

The same year, she played in the new film adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s original Marvel comic “RED SONJA”, directed by M.J. Bassett the mother of Red Sonja as well as the Goddess Ashera alongside Mathila Lutz, Wallis Day and Robert Sheehan. Just recently she finished the english language streaming series “EL TURCO” in Budapest.

In 2023, Veronica Ferres is filming the American feature film “UNHOLY TRINITY” directed by Richard Gray in Montana. She plays the female lead alongside Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson.

She is also starring in the ZDFneo horror series “HAMELN”, which is based on the legend of the Pied Piper of Hameln, and the ZDF comedy series “ANDERE ELTERN”, directed by Lutz Heineking, jr.

Ferres founded her own production-company, Construction Film GmbH, in 2013.

Personal life

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Ferres with Carsten Maschmeyer in 2010

Ferres was in a relationship with Helmut Dietl from 1990 to 1999. They collaborated on movies like Schtonk! (1991), Rossini [de] (1997), Late Show [de] (1999) and many others. In February 2000, they announced their separation.[6] She has one daughter, Lilly Krug, with her ex-husband Martin Krug. The marriage lasted from 2001 until their divorce in 2010.[7] In 2014, Ferres married Carsten Maschmeyer.

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983–1984 Büro, Büro Kantinenwirtin Vroni TV series
1985 Tatort: Schicki-Micki [de] Party guest (uncredited)
1989 Tatort: Blutspur [de] Helma (uncredited)
1989 Pyjama für Drei TV series
1990 So wie wir sind
1991 Der Castillo Coup Debby
1992 Die zweite Heimat (Leaving Home) Dorli 2 episodes
1992 Der Bergdoktor: Der Fiedel-Joscha Annemarie
1993-1996 Unser Lehrer Doktor Specht Anita Kufalt 29 episodes
1993 Ein Bayer auf Rügen Anni 13 episodes
1993 Tatort: Alles Palermo [de] Maria Zell
1993 Das Sahara-Projekt [de] Julia Dahlhaus TV miniseries
1994 Peter und Paul Dr. Ida Hundhammer 5 episodes
1994 Die skandalösen Frauen
1994 Inspector Rex: Ein perfekter Mord Gerda Felsner
1994 Dr. Schwarz und Dr. Martin: Rosenkavaliere Elisabeth TV series Ärzte [de]
1994 Tatort: … und die Musi spielt dazu [de] Nele Hinrichs
1995 Fatale Mutterliebe Ingrid
1995 Tonino und Toinette
1996 Der Bulle von Tölz: Unter Freunden Elfriede Seidl
1996 Catherine the Great Vorontsova
1997 Kowalsky Veronika Jansen 5 episodes
1997 Die Chaos-Queen Luise Schumann
1997 Doktor Knock Dr. Kai Richardi Based on Knock
1998 Eine ungehorsame Frau Marlene
1999 Jack's Baby Jacqueline
2000 Les Misérables Madame Thénardier TV miniseries
2000 Sans famille [fr] Johanna von Strauberg
2001 Die Manns – Ein Jahrhundertroman Nelly Mann TV miniseries
2002 Bobby [de] Rosi Huber
2003 Für immer verloren Sabine Winter
2003 Annas Heimkehr [de] Anna Schweighofer
2004 Stärker als der Tod Lena Koch
2004 Die Rückkehr des Tanzlehrers [de] Veronica Molin Based on The Return of the Dancing Master
2004 Sterne leuchten auch am Tag Iris Hermann
2005 Under the Dark Sun of Africa [fr] Catherine Coburn
2006 Destined to Witness [de] Bertha Baetz Based on Destined to Witness
2007 Mein alter Freund Fritz [de] Lydia Seidel
2007 End of the Ice Age Lena Jörning
2007 Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie [simple] Sara Bender
2008 The Miracle of Berlin [de] Hanna Kaiser
2008 Die Patin – Kein Weg zurück [de] Katharina Almeda TV miniseries
2010 Das Geheimnis der Wale Anna Waldmann
2010 She Deserved It [de] Nora Wagner
2010 Rosannas Tochter Nela [8]
2010 Das blaue Licht [de] Witch Based on The Blue Light
2011 Marco W. – 247 Tage im türkischen Gefängnis [de] Martina Weiss
2011 My Own Flesh and Blood [de] Franziska
2012 The Long Wave After the Keel [de] Sylva Burian
2012 Tsunami – Das Leben danach Billi Cramer
2012–2016 Lena Fauch Lena Fauch 4 episodes
2012 Little Lady [de] Dolores Hobbs Based on Little Lord Fauntleroy
2013 Mein Mann, ein Mörder [de] Minette Frei
2013 The Hong Kong Affair Victoria Philips
2014 Das Glück der Anderen Ellen König
2014 Die Staatsaffäre Chancellor Anna Bremer
2015 Master of Death [de] Sabine Stengele
2018 Im Wald – Ein Taunuskrimi [de] Inka Hansen TV series Der Taunuskrimi [de]
2018 Liebe auf den ersten Trick Annabel
2018 Unzertrennlich nach Verona Ulla Biggemann
2019 Berlin Station: Book of the Fallen Suzanne Berg
2019 Meister des Todes Daniel Harrich
2022 Tatort: Königinnen Rudi Gaul
2022-2023 EL TURCO Uluç Bayraktar
2023 Hameln Rainer Matsutani
2023 Andere Eltern Lutz Heineking Jr.

Film

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Year Title Role Language Director Notes
1985 Der Unsichtbare Schaffnerin (uncredited) German Ulf Miehe
1988 The Vulture Wally [de] Magd German Walter Bockmayer
1991 Babylon Apothekerin German Ralf Huettner [de]
1992 Schtonk! Martha German Helmut Dietl
1992 The Parrot [de] Helga German Ralf Huettner [de]
1994 Voll normaaal [de] Carmen Krause German Ralf Huettner [de]
1996 The Superwife Franziska Herr-Gross German Sönke Wortmann
1996 Honigmond [de] Barbara German Gabriel Barylli
1997 Rossini [de] Schneewittchen German Helmut Dietl
1999 Late Show [de] Maria Keller German Helmut Dietl
1999 Die Braut [de] Christiane Vulpius German Egon Günther
1999 Ladies Room Lauren English Gabriella Cristiani
2006 Wild Chicks [de] Sibylle German Vivian Naefe Based on the Wild Chicks books
2006 Bye Bye Harry! Sophie English Robert Young
2006 Klimt "Midi" (Emilie Flöge) English Raúl Ruiz
2007 Wild Chicks in Love [de] Sibylle German Vivian Naefe Based on the Wild Chicks books
2008 Adam Resurrected Frau Fogel English Paul Schrader
2009 The Wild Chicks and Life [de] Sibylle German Vivian Naefe Based on the Wild Chicks books
2009 Saviors in the Night Marga Spiegel German Ludi Boeken
2010 Life Is Too Long [de] Natasha Miesbach-Boronowski German Dani Levy
2013 Ruby Red Grace Shepherd German Felix Fuchssteiner [de] Based on the Ruby Red Trilogy
2013 King Ordinary [de] Sabine Müller German David Dietl [de]
2013 The Devil's Violinist Elizabeth Wells English Bernard Rose
2014 Sapphire Blue [de] Grace Shepherd German Felix Fuchssteiner [de], Katharina Schöde [de] Based on the Ruby Red Trilogy
2014 Hector and the Search for Happiness Anjali English Peter Chelsom
2014 Casanova Variations Elisa English Michael Sturminger [de]
2015 The Manny Ilona German Matthias Schweighöfer Cameo
2015 Pay the Ghost Hannah English Uli Edel
2016 Short Term Memory Loss (a.k.a. Tod auf Raten) Annett Gräber German Andreas Arnstedt [de]
2016 The Comedian Karola English Taylor Hackford
2016 Salt and Fire Dr. Laura Sommerfeld English Werner Herzog
2017 Unter deutschen Betten [de] Linda Lehmann German Jan Fehse [de]
2018 Siberia Raisa English Matthew Ross
2018 Intrigo: Death of an Author Kerr English Daniel Alfredson
2018 Head Full of Honey Woman on the train English Til Schweiger Cameo
2019 Berlin, I Love You Else Speck English Anthology film by 11 directors
2019 Malou Regina Vollmer German Adi Wojaczek
2020 Love, Weddings & Other Disasters Bev English Dennis Dugan
2021 Crisis Meg Holmes English Nicholas Jarecki
2021 Every Breath You Take Dr. Vanessa Fanning English Vaughn Stein Also producer
2021 The Unforgivable English Nora Fingscheidt Producer
2021 Best Sellers Drew Davis English Lina Roessler
2022 Paradise Highway Rose English Anna Gutto
2024 The Bricklayer Greta Becker English Renny Harlin
2024 The Unholy Trinity Sarah English Richard Gray
TBA Red Sonja Ashera and

Mother of Red Sonja

English M. J. Bassett Post-production

Awards

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  • 2024: Bavarian Film Award, Honorary Award of the Bavarian Minister President
  • 2021: Inspiring Youth Award, TV Series Festival in Berlin for national and international movie success
  • 2020: Kitzbühel Filmfestival, Honorary award
  • 2019: Bavarian Europe Medal, award for special services to the Free State of Bavaria in Europe and the world
  • 2018: ST. George Order for artistic achievements and charitable commitment
  • 2017: 10th Maler Media Prize for Human Rights, awarded by Amnesty International for the film Master of Death
  • 2013: Hadassah-Award "Citizen of the World" for longstanding engagement for Hadassah
  • 2013: Cinema for Peace Award against anti-Semitism and hatred of foreigners
  • 2013: Oldenburg Film Festival - Star of Excellence - Walk of Fame
  • 2011: Boston Jewish Film Festival - Saviors in the Night - Winner of Audience Award
  • 2011: Premio Bacco
  • 2010: SIGNIS Award at the International Film Festival DC in Washington for Saviors in the Night
  • 2009: Steiger Award in the category Film
  • 2008: Jupiter in the category Best TV-production for Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie
  • 2008: Deutscher Fernsehpreis in the category Best actress for Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie
  • 2007: "Hans-Rosenthal-Ehrenpreis" for her encouragement for her charity project "Power-Child"
  • 2007: Book of the Month - The book No, I don't go with strangers! was chosen as "Book of the month" of March 2007 by the "Deutsche Akademie für Kinder-und Jugendliteratur e.V."
  • 2007: "Bad Iburger" Children's Literary PrizeE for her book No, I don't go with strangers!
  • 2006: "Bavarian Merit Award" for her extraordinary achievements and dedication for Bavaria
  • 2006: "Goldene Feder" Award, best actress
  • 2005: Best Actress Award "Bambi" in Germany for her excellent career in movies, on television and on stage
  • 2005: "DIVA - HALL OF FAME - German Award"
  • 2004: "Bavarian TV Award" for Anna's Return, Forever Lost and Stronger than Death
  • 2002: EMMY - Best film/serial for The Manns
  • 2002: "Golden Grimme" Award for The Manns
  • 2002: "Golden Camera" Award, best actress of feature film and TV movie in Germany
  • 2002: "Bavarian TV" Award for The Manns
  • 2002: "ROMY" Award, most popular actress in Austria
  • 1999: Abruzzo Filmfestival, best actress
  • 1999: Best Actress Award for The Bride, 9th International Film-Festival, Pescara, Italy
  • 1998: "Golden Camera" Award, best actress of feature film and TV movie in Germany for Rossini
  • 1997: SPA Award, Beauty Award
  • 1992: Best Actress Award "Bambi" in Germany for Schtonk

Nominations

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  • 2009: German Television Award - Best mini-series for The Godmother
  • 2008: German Television Award - Best TV-movie for The Woman from Checkpoint Charlie and The Miracle of Berlin
  • 2008: Emmy - TV-movie for The Miracle of Berlin
  • 2008: Festival in Canada/BANFF - Best foreign language film for The Woman from Checkpoint Charlie
  • 2007: German Television Award for best actress in a leading role and best TV-movie Snow in December
  • 2007: Goldene Henne Award for best actress
  • 2007: Golden Camera Award - Best German TV-movie for Destined to witness
  • 2007: Bambi - For the TV-event of the year 2007 for The Woman from Checkpoint Charlie
  • 1998: Adolf Grimme Award for her role in The Naughty Woman and in The Chaos Queen
  • 1998: Tele Star - Best actress in a movie made for TV – The Naughty Woman
  • 1992: Oscar - Best foreign language film for Schtonk (role: Martha)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "GQ Starporträt - Veronica Ferres". GQ. Condé Nast Verlag GmbH. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  2. ^ Brauck, Markus (8 October 2007). "Die Sanftwütige". Der Spiegel. Spiegel Online GmbH. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. ^ "GSS im Wandel der Zeit". Gymnasium Schwertstraße. 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. ^ Woter, Carla (24 January 2002). "VERONICA FERRES Ich bin auf dem Land aufgewachsen. Kino- oder Theaterbesuche gehörten nicht zu meinem Alltag. Da braucht man Träume". Zeit Online. Zeit Online GmbH. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Biografie - Veronica Ferres". Who's Who. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  6. ^ Helmut Dietl und Veronica Ferres getrennt. In: Rhein-Zeitung, 10. Februar 2000.
  7. ^ Jüttner, Julia (25 November 2008). "Trennung: Veronica Ferres' Ehe gescheitert". Der Spiegel.
  8. ^ "Rosannas Tochter". KINO. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
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