Armin Meier (actor)

Armin Meier (born 1943, died 1978) was a German actor. He is best known for his close personal and professional relationship with filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Meier first met Fassbinder in the late 1960s and quickly became a significant figure in Fassbinder's life and work. He appeared in several of Fassbinder's films, often in supporting roles, including The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972), Fear Eats the Soul (1974), Fox and His Friends (1975), and Chinese Roulette (1976). His performances were often characterized by a raw, vulnerable quality.

Beyond acting, Meier also worked behind the scenes on Fassbinder's productions. Their relationship was reportedly intense and volatile.

Meier died by suicide in 1978, a loss that deeply affected Fassbinder. Some scholars and biographers suggest Meier's death contributed to Fassbinder's own decline and eventual death in 1982. Meier's brief but impactful career remains closely tied to the legacy of Rainer Werner Fassbinder and New German Cinema.