Jürgen Prochnow at 75

... is what the crew of the German submarine "U 96" calls its captain, as he doesn't have a name. In Wolfgang Petersen's worldwide success "Das Boot," Prochnow had the role of his life: a gruff man of integrity, hard as nails but with a heart. In the charismatic role, the actor played his way into the audience's hearts - and made the leap to Hollywood.

Following studies in Essen, the young actor was to be seen in German theaters for many years before finally stepping in front of the camera. After appearing in TV roles, he was hired by prominent directors of the "New German Cinema" movement. In 1974, Reinhard Hauff gave Prochnow the role of a prisoner in the incarceration drama "Die Verrohung des Franz Blum" (The Brutalization of Franz Blum).

A year later, Jürgen Prochnow was in the cast of one of New German Cinema's greatest successes, Volker Schlöndorff's film "Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum." In the political, press-critical film based on the story by Heinrich Böll, Prochnow plays the character of Ludwig Götten, who is publically humiliated by a yellow press newspaper. At his side: Angela Winkler.

In the 1970s, before Prochnow was hired by Wolfgang Petersen for "Das Boot," the Berlin-born actor had a busy schedule in German movies and television. In the TV film "Frauensiedlung" (Women's Settlement) of 1976, he worked side by side with Monika Bleibtreu. Here, too, he radiated his trademark blend of strength and sensitivity.

In 1977, "Die Konsequenz" (The Consequence) caused a scandal. Bringing the subject of homosexuality to the screen, director Wolfgang Petersen riled the Federal Republic's moral guardians. The film was shown on TV only in an abridged version, and the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation declined to broadcast it at all. It was a further step in the career of Prochnow (left, next to Ernst Hannawald).

The worldwide success of Wolfgang Petersen's war film "Das Boot" drew Hollywood's attention to the charismatic German actor. Well-known directors offered him roles. In 1984, Prochnow (left) played alongside Patrick Stewart, Kyle MacLachlan and Max von Sydow in David Lynch's science fiction spectacle "Dune."

Hollywood wasn't the fulfillment of every dream though. Prochnow also joined several less successful, routine productions. That was probably why the actor repeatedly returned to German films, such as in 1990, when he joined Elisabeth Hurley in the maritime drama "Der Skipper" (The Skipper). As always, Prochnow made a good impression on the waves, reminding audiences of "Das Boot."

But Jürgen Prochnow doggedly went on - making his mark also on 1990s filmmaking in the US. His sinewy appearance predestined the actor for roles requiring physical action - and in historic films. In director John Irvin's 1991 Robin Hood film, he convincingly embodied Sir Miles Folcanet.

In recent years, Jürgen Prochnow has repeatedly turned up in major international productions, joined by European stars. In 2003, the German played a passenger on the ill-fated ferry "Estonia." The film "Baltic Storm" put Prochnow right back in his trusted elements: water, wind and storm.

Jürgen Prochnow, who turns 75 on June 10, is still in demand. German moviegoers recently saw him in the filming of Martin Suter's business thriller "Die dunkle Seite des Mondes" (The Dark Side of the Moon). In it, Prochnow plays the former client of a business lawyer (Moritz Bleibtreu).