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Daniel LittauGerman actor
Date of Birth: 12.04.1991
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Family Background
- Beginnings in Film and Television
- Breakthrough Roles and Notable Projects
- Continued Success and International Collaboration
- Personal Life and Family
Early Life and Family Background
Daniel Littau was born on April 12, 1991, in Espelkamp, Germany. His family history is intertwined with the tumultuous events of the 20th century. His great-grandmother survived a concentration camp and emigrated with her young son to Ukraine and later Uzbekistan after World War II. His paternal grandmother, born in Germany, fell in love with a Soviet soldier and relocated with him to the USSR. Littau's parents, Helena and Paul, were born in Soviet republics: Helena in Kazakhstan and Paul in Uzbekistan. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, they moved to Germany. Littau has a brother and two sisters.
Beginnings in Film and Television
Littau's interest in filmmaking blossomed during adolescence. He received a webcam from his friend Andreas Olenberg at the age of 12, sparking their passion for creating video content. They gradually transitioned to short films, and Littau discovered his affinity for acting. After graduating high school, he pursued formal training but faced rejection from drama schools. Undeterred, he relocated to Berlin and focused on film production.
Breakthrough Roles and Notable Projects
Littau made his television debut in 2009 with a minor role in "Der Lehrer." That same year, he appeared in the popular Dutch-Belgian series "House of Anubis" as Nico. His breakout performance came in the series "Zimmer 13" (2012-2014), where he portrayed Paul Leopold. The show became a hit among teenagers, inspiring a novel, radio play, board game, and other merchandise.
In 2014, Littau made his feature film debut in George Clooney's "The Monuments Men," playing a Russian soldier (though uncredited). He then starred in the series "The Team" (2015) as Emil. In 2018, he founded Camcore with Andreas Olenberg and played the lead role in their first film, "Phantom Pain: The Case of Finn Fischer." Littau's performance earned him a nomination for Germany's Jupiter Award and awards for Best Actor at festivals in Hollywood and the Netherlands.
Continued Success and International Collaboration
From 2018 to 2019, Littau portrayed Jan Drews in the long-running German television series "Familie Dr. Kleist." In 2023, he appeared in the horror film "Winterskin - Sacrifice" as Erik Winter.
In 2024, Littau starred in the Russian fantasy drama "The Dugout." As Paul, a black digger, he is transported back to 1941 during World War II. Littau's fluency in Russian facilitated his involvement in the project.
Personal Life and Family
Littau is married to actress Saskia Caroline Kehlbach, who also has Russian heritage. They have a daughter born in 2017. The family communicates in Russian at home. Littau and his family visited Moscow in 2020, leaving a lasting impression on them.
