This is how Heike Makatsch unexpectedly became a movie star

She is one of the most popular actresses in Germany: Heike Makatsch has been delighting audiences in the cinema for decades. What many people no longer know is that the blonde beauty got her start in the wild 90s, when music television was just taking off. You can find the whole story here.

Heike Makatsch: Her beginnings at Viva

Today she is one of the most famous actresses in Germany, but nobody could have guessed that back then: Heike Makatsch did not start out as an actress, but first made a name for herself as a presenter. Her beginnings will never be forgotten: In the 90s, Makatsch stormed across the screens like a breath of fresh air and was in the right place at the right time: the lively, cheeky presenter wowed audiences on the brand new music channel VIVA with her unconventional style. Her interviews? Always a little chaotic. But a mischievous smile from Makatsch is enough to win the hearts of young TV viewers. Not afraid of silliness, she blossomed into a media icon who even regularly turns the heads of international celebrities.

Acting career instead of presenting: She even charmed James Bond

Heike Makatsch as an actress? Back then, nobody would have believed she could do it. After her wild ride at VIVA, she seized the opportunity in 1996 and secured a role alongside Til Schweiger in the cult film Männerpension. Her performance was a hit – Makatsch was promptly awarded the Bavarian Film Prize for Best Young Actress. An accolade that even acting veterans don’t easily receive.

But that was just the beginning: A short time later, much bigger roles awaited Heike Makatsch. In the horror classic Resident Evil from 2002, she played a researcher who falls victim to the zombie virus. In the Christmas classic Love Actually (2003), she then played the seductive secretary Mia, who wants to seduce her boss (Alan Rickman) with her charm. Her performance was impressive due to its subtle sex appeal and sophistication, which gave her character depth. It is therefore no wonder that a British acting star promptly fell in love with the German beauty: Heike Makatsch and Daniel Craig were a couple for seven yearsbefore they parted ways amicably in 2004.

Mega-successful in Germany: Heike Makatsch plays everywhere

In the end, Heike Makatsch has established herself as a German actress. In Hilde, she portrayed the dramatic life of diva Hildegard Knef. With comedies such as Hui Buh, the Castle Ghost, she showed that she can also do humor. And when she is not in the cinema, she is busy filming for the next Tatort. You can see whether Makatsch cuts a good figure as Chief Inspector Ellen Berlinger in the trailer here:

Makatsch is also extremely successful in other ways. She has shot numerous campaigns for a French beauty company, acts in TV and streaming series and works as a voice actress. Makatsch is now a mother of three and enjoys her life in Berlin.