Philipp Hochmair
Biography
Philipp Hochmair, born on October 16, 1973, in Vienna, Austria, is a highly respected and versatile Austrian actor known for his compelling performances in theater, film, and television. With a career marked by both critical acclaim and a unique approach to his craft, Hochmair has become a prominent figure in German-speaking entertainment.
Early Life and Training: Hochmair's passion for literature, film, and theater developed early in his life in Vienna. He pursued formal acting training at the renowned Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna, where he was part of the master class led by Klaus Maria Brandauer. He furthered his studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique in Paris, demonstrating an early commitment to a broad, international artistic education.
Career Highlights: Hochmair's career is distinguished by a remarkable range of roles and an innovative approach to performance. On stage, he has been a member of esteemed ensembles at the Burgtheater in Vienna and the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. He is particularly celebrated for his solo projects, including unique interpretations of classics like Goethe's Werther!, Kafka's The Trial and America, and his rock-infused rendition of Hugo von Hofmannsthal's Jedermann Reloaded, performed with his band "Die Elektrohand Gottes." In 2024, he notably became the lead actor in Jedermann at the prestigious Salzburg Festival.
In film and television, Hochmair has built an impressive resume. His early cinematic successes include roles in Oliver Hirschbiegel's The Experiment (2001) and Heinrich Breloer's The Manns – A Novel of the Century (2001). He gained significant recognition for his role in Tomcat (2016), for which he won the Diagonale Festival Award.
More recently, Hochmair has been a consistent presence in popular German-language productions. He played a corrupt politician in the series Vorstadtweiber (2015-2021) and the titular blind detective Alexander Haller in the series Blind ermittelt (since 2018). He also appeared in the Netflix series Freud (2020) and as Professor Prokop in Charité (2021). A particularly impactful role was his portrayal of Reinhard Heydrich in the critically acclaimed film The Conference (2022), which earned him a Romy Award and a Grimme-Preis.
Awards and Recognition: Philipp Hochmair has received numerous accolades for his work. These include multiple Romy Awards (Austria's television award), notably for Vorstadtweiber (2019) and The Conference (2022). He also won the Grimme-Preis in 2023 for The Conference. In 2024, he was honored with the Retrospective and Honorary Award at the Film Festival Kitzbühel, receiving the prestigious 'Gams Trophy'.
Artistic Approach: Hochmair is known for his intense and transformative performances, often delving into the psychological complexities of his characters. His willingness to experiment with different formats, from traditional theater to musical interpretations and film, highlights his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. He is celebrated for his ability to make "old material" feel fresh and relevant, confirming his status as one of the most versatile German-speaking actors of his generation.
