Simon Schwarz Biography: Awards, Religion, Height, Ethnicity, Parents, Net Worth, Movies, Eye Color, Age

Simon Schwarz is an Austrian actor recognized widely for his consistent work in European film and television.

His popularity stems significantly from his enduring role as Rudi Birkenberger, the loyal private investigator sidekick to lead character Franz Eberhofer, in the highly successful German crime film series based on Rita Falk’s novels.

He also gained international attention early in his career through his lead performance in the 1998 Austrian drama The Inheritors (Die Siebtelbauern), a role that secured his reputation as a formidable talent and earned him the Max Ophüls Prize for Best Young Actor.

His career also features prominent television roles in series such as the medical drama Die Eifelpraxis and the crime miniseries Woman of the Dead.

Profile

• Full name: Simon Schwarz
• Date of birth: January 10, 1971
• Age: 55 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Vienna, Austria
• Nationality: Austrian
• Profession: Actor, Producer
• Height: 1.72 m (5′ 7¾”)
• Eye color: Blue
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Alexandra Makarová (married 2017–present), Nana Spier (married 2005–divorced)
• Children: Samuel Schwarz, Helene Schwarz, and one other
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Austrian
• Net worth: $3 million USD

Early Life and Education

Simon Schwarz, now at the age of 54 was born on January 10, 1971, in Vienna, Austria. He grew up in an academic household; his father was a theater scholar and his mother was a Germanist, which provided an early pathway into the performing arts environment. His formal education in performance began in his youth, focusing on both physical theater and dramatic arts.

He trained in classical ballet, modern dance, and improvisation at several institutions including the Tanzforum Wien and the Tanztheater in Zurich. He continued his acting education at the Anne Woolliams School in Zurich and attended the prestigious Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin as a guest student between 1992 and 1993.

Personal Life

Simon Schwarz has been married twice. His current wife is Alexandra Makarová, a director and screenwriter. They began their relationship around 2012 and eventually married in a private ceremony. They have one daughter together. Schwarz and Makarová have worked together professionally, notably on the film Crush My Heart (Zerschlag mein Herz), which she directed and he produced.

Previously, Schwarz was married to German actress and voice artist Nana Spier. Their marriage lasted for several years, during which they had two children: a son named Samuel Schwarz and a daughter named Helene Schwarz. The couple later divorced. There are no public records or reports of any extramarital affairs or significant public relationship scandals associated with him.

Career

Simon Schwarz began his professional acting career in the mid-1990s. He has built a prolific resume with appearances in over 70 films. His early career highlight was the lead role in the 1998 film The Inheritors, which provided an international breakthrough.

He became a household name within German-speaking regions primarily through his role as Rudi Birkenberger in the Eberhofer film series, which started with Dampfnudelblues in 2013. The success of this franchise has been substantial, leading to numerous sequels.

On television, Schwarz has held major recurring roles in several highly rated series. He starred in the Austrian dark comedy series Braunschlag and the German ARD medical drama Die Eifelpraxis, where he played the character of the physical therapist and practice manager Chris Hecker. In 2020, he appeared in the Netflix/ORF co-production Woman of the Dead.

Beyond acting, he has ventured into producing with Makarová’s film Crush My Heart. He also stars alongside his Eberhofer co-star Sebastian Bezzel in a popular German travel documentary series called Bezzel & Schwarz – Die Grenzgänger, which started in 2019.

Awards

• Max Ophüls Award (Best Young Actor for Die Siebtelbauern) (1999)
• Romy Gala (Favorite Actor Series for Braunschlag) (2013)

Net Worth

Simon Schwarz has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million USD. This wealth has been primarily accrued through his extensive and sustained career as an actor in both Austrian and German film and television productions, including lead and recurring roles in long-running franchises and series.

Social Media

• Instagram: @simonschwarz

Filmography

• Stockinger (TV Series episode) (1996)
• Der Sohn des Mahrs (1997)
• Die Siebtelbauern (The Inheritors) (1998)
• Absolute Giganten (Absolute Giants) (1999)
• Fallen from the Sky (1999)
• Anatomie (Anatomy) (2000)
• Wir (We) (2000)
• Germany Run (2001)
• Die Männer vom K3 (TV Series episode) (2001)
• Der Bulle von Tölz (TV Series episode) (2001)
• Tigermännchen sucht Tigerweibchen (2002)
• Die achte Todsünde: DasToskana-Karussell (2002)
• Dinner for Two (2003)
• Aus der Tiefe des Raumes (2004)
• Silentium (2004)
• Der Weibsteufel (2004)
• Im Namen des Gesetzes (TV Series episode) (2004)
• Tatort (TV Series episodes) (2000-2005)
• Die Rosenheim-Cops (TV Series episode) (2005)
• Klimawechsel (TV Mini Series) (2005)
• Heute heiratet mein Ex (2006)
• Traumschiff (TV Series episode) (2007)
• Der Erlkönig (2007)
• Das Wunder von Berlin (The Miracle of Berlin) (2008)
• Ein halbes Leben (2009)
• Bella Block (TV Series episode) (2009)
• Der Bär ist los! (2009)
• Haltet die Welt an (2010)
• Die Gipfelstürmerin (2010)
• Schnell ermittelt (TV Series episode) (2010)
• Restrisiko (2011)
• Braunschlag (TV Series) (2012)
• Dampfnudelblues. Ein Eberhoferkrimi (2013)
• Paradies 505. Ein Niederbayernkrimi (2013)
• Lovely Louise (2013)
• Das Land des Lächelns (2013)
• Der Teufel und die brave Frau (2013)
• Blutsschwestern (TV Series) (2014)