Due to his clear cut voice, he has been often cast to play Nazi characters.Born to Erné Held, an actor, and his wife, who worked as a tailor.In his youth, he was the goalkeeper of soccer club 1860 Munich, winning the German Youth Championships in 1975.Was a talented soccer player in his youth.Lost 10 kg for his role in Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005).Sang with the Regensburg Boys' Choir, whose choirmaster was Georg Ratzinger, brother of Pope Benedict XVI.Graduated from the Otto Falckenberg Drama School in Munich.