Iris Berben at 75: A life full of art, commitment and non-conformity!

Iris Berben at 75: A life full of art, commitment and non-conformity!

What a joyous occasion! Today, August 12, 2025, the grande dame of German television, Iris Berben, celebrates her 75th birthday. From the first steps of her career in the 1970s to her role as a voice on social issues, she has left her mark on the German entertainment landscape. In a recent podcast, she spoke about the central questions of life that have always moved her and emphasized the meaning of life, which always comes first for her in all its ups and downs. Radio Herford reports that she has appeared in numerous productions in her long career, including the popular formats “Two Heavenly Daughters” and “Sketchup”, as well as in the “Rosa Roth” crime novels and the current film “Triangle of Sadness”.

How has she managed to stay relevant throughout all these years? Berben has played around 150 roles, many of them for the production company of her son, Oliver Berben, who is himself a successful film producer. Her more recent projects, such as the lead role as a terminally ill rock star photographer in “And then someone gets up and opens the window” or the portrayal of a woman waiting for a devastating diagnosis in “Hanne”, impressively show that her acting skills have lost none of their appeal. The Jewish General emphasizes that she often takes on multi-faceted characters who leave a lot of room for self-irony.

Social commitment and personal issues

One of Berben's trademarks is their socio-political commitment. Your voice is clearly raised against anti-Semitism, racism and age discrimination. Berben repeatedly emphasizes that “art must be disobedient.” This is also underlined by their decision to take an active stance against social injustices. She received the Leo Baeck Prize from the Central Council of Jews in Germany and was twice awarded the Federal Cross of Merit. After the Hamas massacre on October 7th, she spoke critically about the emerging anti-Semitism in the cultural scene. There are also exciting details about this Israel network.

On a personal level, Berben is also an interesting personality. She describes her youth, her time at boarding school and even her suicidal thoughts at the time in her podcast series, which for many is a touching insight into her life. It should also be noted that she has never made a secret of her rejection of marriage and has been happy with her partner, the stunt coordinator Heiko Kiesow, for many years.

A look into the future

What do you expect from Iris Berben in the future? She actively follows the news, wants to be informed about the world and is always critical of the pressure that social media puts on young women. She wants equality and a careful approach to life's challenges. Her positive attitude towards Israel and the influence of her trip there after the Six-Day War in 1967 also shape her view of current society.

With a life that represents an exciting mix of art, commitment and personal challenges, Iris Berben remains a role model and an inspiration. We warmly congratulate you on your 75th birthday and look forward to more exciting projects and courageous voices from this extraordinary woman!