Biography
Thorsten Merten (born December 4, 1963, in Ruhla) is a German actor. Thorsten Merten originally intended to become a journalist and initially worked as a trainee at the newspaper Das Volk. After completing his military service, he underwent acting training from 1986 to 1990 at the "Ernst Busch" Academy of Dramatic Arts in Berlin, where he attended the newly established cabaret department and graduated with a diploma in cabaret performance. This was followed by engagements at various theaters both at home and abroad, including the Théâtre Vidy in Lausanne, the Staatstheater Schwerin, the Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin, the Volksbühne Berlin, and the Deutsches Theater Berlin. For his stage work, he was awarded the Conrad Ekhof Prize in 1999. His notable stage roles include McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the Ghost in Hamlet, as well as roles in Ivanov, Prometheus, and Sonnenallee. In 2024, he played the role of operations manager Kuckuck in the operetta Messeschlager Gisela at the Komische Oper Berlin. Merten gained his first experience in front of the camera in 1992 in Andreas Dresen's film Stilles Land. He achieved his breakthrough in 2001 with the tragicomedy Halbe Treppe (Grill Point), also directed by Dresen. Since then, he has appeared regularly in both feature films and television productions. Merten also gained recognition through roles in Wilsberg, Afrika, mon amour, Bella Block, Helen Dorn, Donna Leon, and numerous episodes of Tatort. From 2013 to 2021, he played the role of precinct chief Stich in the Weimar-based Tatort series. Since 2009, he has portrayed Chief Inspector—later Police Commissioner—Martin Fichte in the ZDF series Spreewaldkrimi. He has also played lead roles in other productions, including Silvi and Fremdkörper. In 2021, he received the German Film Award for his supporting role in Curveball – Wir machen die Wahrheit. Furthermore, Merten came up with the idea for the Netflix series Das letzte Wort, in which he appeared alongside Anke Engelke.
Acted in 131
2020s
- 2026
Bibi Blocksberg - Die total verhexte Zeitreise
Krause
A Stroll to Syracuse
Movie
- 2025
Miss Merkel - Ein Kreuzfahrt-Krimi
Joachim
The Policeman's Niece
Werner Barth
Other People's Money
Rolf Lebert · 3 episodes
The Next Level
Matt · 6 episodes
- 2024
Bach - A Christmas Miracle
Adrian Stieglitz
Miss Merkel - Mord auf dem Friedhof
Achim Sauer
Pumpen
Rainer Müller · 1 episode
Roxy
Passfälscher
Night to be Gone
Dieter
- 2023
Der zweite Kurzschluss
Oliver
Berlin Bad Trip
Jens Lamprecht · 6 episodes
Kleine Eheverbrechen
Dieter Beil
Miss Merkel - Ein Uckermark-Krimi
Joachim Sauer
- 2022
What You Can See from Here
Herr Rödder
Hunting Season
Vermieter
Locked in Society
Manfred Prohaska
Divided We Stand
Hajo Gärster · 6 episodes
- 2021
Sprachlos in Irland
Dirk
- 2020
There Are No Orange Trees in Berlin
Wärter Grunert
Exit
Hönings
Deutscher
Frank Pielcke · 4 episodes
Nothing More Perfect
Movie
2010s
- 2019
Knorx
Vogtländer
Der vierte Mann
Kurt Lehrmann
Good Girl Gone Bad
Helmut Mayer
Alfons Zitterbacke
Mr. Flickendorf
- 2018
Atlas
Alfred Hoppe
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Taxifahrer Klaus
Donbass
German Journalist
Gundermann
Puppenspieler
The Institute - Oasis of Failure
TV
- 2017
Hit Mom – Mörderische Weihnachten
Professor
Das Nebelhaus
Doros Chef
Brothers
Rainer Welke
Bruder - Schwarze Macht
Bahr · 4 episodes
Tiger Milk
Stefan
In Times of Fading Light
Movie
- 2016
Die Pfeiler der Macht
Joseph Pilaster · 2 episodes
- 2015
Alki Alki
Thomas
Sedwitz
Ralf "Ralle" Pietzsch · 6 episodes
Heil
Verfassungsschützer F. – Sachsen
Foreign Body
Wolfgang
Rough Road Ahead
Movie
- 2014
Open the Wall
Manfred
We Are Young. We Are Strong.
Movie
- 2013
The Golden Goose
Räubervater
Der zweite Mann
Klaus Padberg
Sunny
Movie
Silvi - Maybe Love
Michael
- 2012
Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot
Hofrat
Sushi in Suhl
Hans Leutner
Ruhm
Klaus Rubinstein
Kommissar Marthaler
Dr. Meisner · 1 episode
- 2011
Stopped on Track
Movie
Inklusion - gemeinsam anders
Heribert Stein
Augen zu
Frank
Arschkalt
Erhard
Weisst du eigentlich dass ganz viele Blumen blühen im Park
Movie
- 2010
Empathie
Rüdiger
Haltet die Welt an
André Spanuth
Gravity
Kollath
Auf Doktor komm raus
Apotheker Walter
Frösche petzen nicht
Jörg Hilbert
2000s
- 2009
Flemming
Arndt Buchwald · 1 episode
I've Never Been Happier
Schlickenrieder
- 2008
November Child
Alexander
Underdogs
Forster
Remarque - Sein Weg zum Ruhm
Chefredakteur der „Sport im Bild“
Vom Atmen unter Wasser
Jo
- 2007
Sooner or Later
Movie
Meer is nich
Friedrich
Die Frau am Ende der Straße
Klaus Garbers
Lunik
Toni Harmann
- 2006
Unter anderen Umständen
Achim Kaminski · 1 episode
Four Windows
Vater
The Elementary Particles
Hubert
- 2005
In Liebe eine Eins
Herr Steiner
Die Nachrichten
Movie
Wahrheit oder Pflicht
Lehrer Behnke
- 2004
Transport
Movie
- 2003
Solo für Schwarz
Raik Schleusser · 1 episode
Gun-shy
Krausser
- 2002
Grill Point
Christian
- 2001
- 2000
1990s
- 1997
- 1995
- 1994
Up – Down
Peet
- 1993
- 1992
Silent Country
Kai Finke
Appearances1
1990s
- 1992
