David Kross

DAVID KROSS became known internationally in 2009 for his acclaimed performance in Stephen Daldry's multi-award-winning film "The Reader."

Kross was born in 1990 near Hamburg, Germany. At age 12 he was cast in Oliver Dommenget's TV movie "Hilfe Ich Bin Ein Junge," after which director Detlev Buck chose him to play the leading role of Michael Polischka in "Knallhart." The film went on to win several prizes, including three Lolas, the German film prize, and The International Film Critics Prize in the Panorama section of the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.

In 2008, having established himself as a leading actor, Kross starred alongside Daniel Brühl and Robert Stadlober in Marco Kreuzpainter's "Krabat," adapted from Otfried Preußler's bestselling book.

"The Reader" then followed, providing Kross' first English-language role opposite Kate Winslet. The film, directed by Stephen Daldry and adapted by David Hare from Bernard Schlink's international best-selling novel, garnered a swathe of international prizes, including five Academy Award® nominations and a Best Actress Oscar® for Kate Winslet. It also brought Kross a number of personal accolades, including The Las Vegas Film Critics Award for Youth In Film and nominations for The Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Performer, The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor and The European Film Academy Award for Best Actor. In recognition of his achievements, Kross was given the honor of representing Germany at the European Shooting Stars event at 2009's Berlin Film Festival.

Since "The Reader," Kross has filmed "Same Same but Different," directed again by Detlev Buck, "Das Blau Vom Himmel," directed by Hans Steinbicher, "Comrade," directed by Peter Naess, "The Pursuit of Unhappiness," directed by Sherry Horman, and "Michael Kolhaus," directed by Arnaud des Pallieres.

© 2011 DreamWorks Pictures