Axel Prahl

Axel Prahl is one of Germany's best-loved actors, with many decades of fine performances under his belt. Originally, Prahl took his college education in music and mathematics, but it wasn't long before he succumbed to the siren song of the stage and transitioned into acting. He studied at the Schauspielschule Kiel from 1982 to 1985, and soon his obsessive dedication to the craft of acting was bringing him roles. His first break came with a small part in the 1992 TV movie " Schlafende Hunde." Axel Prahl has been one of the most prolific actors of his generation, appearing in multiple projects as diverse as Roman Polanski's "The Pianist," Andreas Dresen's acclaimed marital drama "Grill Point," and cheesy TV movies like "Policewoman." One of his most celebrated roles was in 2008's "Berlin 36," based on the true story of a Jewish high jumper on the German Olympic track team. He has received several prestigious Adolf Grimme awards for his work. Prahl is probably best-known in recent years for his role as investigator Frank Thiel on the long-running German police procedural "Tatort," whom he has played since 2002. Prahl lives in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin with his wife and four children, two from a previous marriage.