Berger broke through in Luchino Visconti’s “The Damned” from 1969, where he played opposite, among others, Ingrid Thulin. The role was the first of many in major European films opposite stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Romy Schneider and Burt Lancaster.
He was best known, however, for his jet set life and for becoming the first man to grace the cover of British Vogue in 1970 – alongside actress Marisa Berenson in a photo by David Bailey.
He lived for twelve years with Visconti, but when he died in 1976, Berger fell into addiction. He later appeared in “The Godfather Part III” and the TV series “Dynasty”. Back then, in the 1980s and 90s, he was otherwise best known at home as a provocateur on television talk shows.
According to his agent, Berger “lived his whole life according to the motto ‘The Sweet Life'”. The actor is said to have died “peacefully but unexpectedly” at his home in Salzburg.
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