Werner Herzog, born on September 5, 1942, in Munich, Germany, is a renowned German film director, screenwriter, actor, and author. He was born to Elisabeth Stipetic and Dietrich Herzog. Shortly after his birth, during World War II, the family's home was destroyed in a bombing raid. As a result, his mother relocated the family to the remote village of Sachrang in the Bavarian Alps.
Herzog spent his early childhood in near-total isolation, without basic amenities such as running water, flushing toilets, or telephones. He reportedly had no exposure to films or cinema during these early years and was unaware of what a movie was until a traveling projectionist visited his one-room schoolhouse.
At the age of 12, Herzog's family moved back to Munich. It was around this time that he developed an interest in filmmaking. Although his father had abandoned the family during his childhood, Herzog chose to use his father's surname, believing "Herzog" sounded more fitting for a filmmaker than his maternal surname, "Stipetic."
Herzog made his first short film in 1961 at the age of 19. Self-taught and determined, he often found unconventional ways to finance and shoot his early projects. His independent spirit and resourceful approach quickly set him apart in the world of cinema.
Over the decades, Herzog built an illustrious career, producing, writing, and directing more than 60 feature films and documentaries. Known for their intense subject matter and philosophical undertones, many of his works have become influential in both arthouse and mainstream cinema.
Some of Werner Herzog's most notable films include Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), a historical drama set in the Amazon jungle; Lessons of Darkness (1992), a visually arresting documentary about the Gulf War's environmental destruction; Grizzly Man (2005), a critically acclaimed documentary about bear enthusiast Timothy Treadwell; and Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010), which explores the ancient Chauvet Cave paintings in France through 3D cinematography.
Herzog's contributions to global cinema have earned him recognition as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. He is celebrated for his unconventional storytelling style, deep philosophical inquiries, and his exploration of human endurance and nature’s extremes. In addition to filmmaking, Herzog has also acted in various projects and authored several books, further solidifying his role as a multifaceted cultural figure.
Consistently challenging the boundaries of narrative and documentary filmmaking, Herzog's career serves as a testament to enduring creative curiosity and artistic independence.
| Birth Date: | 5 Sep, 1942 |
| Age: | 77 yrs |
| Citizenship: | Germany Sweden |
| Birth Place: | Munich |
| residence: | Los Angeles |
| Education: | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and opera director |
| Spouse: | Lena Herzog [M. 1999] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 20 million |
