Oliver Masucci is known as an actor far beyond the borders of Germany. The 54-year-old, who was born in Stuttgart in 1968, studied at the Berlin University of the Arts and was part of the ensemble at the Burgtheater in Vienna, played one of the main roles in the Netflix series “Dark”, for example. In the film adaptation of the bestselling novel “The Swarm” by Frank Schätzing, Masucci can now be seen as Jasper Alban, captain of the research ship Thorvaldson. With a team of scientists, he embarks on a daring mission into the ice. The series has been on view in the ZDF media library since February 22nd. We meet him in Berlin.
What do you eat for breakfast?
Mostly nothing. Because I’m Italian, I grew up so traditionally people don’t eat until midday. At the moment I only eat in the evening anyway, because I have to lose weight for a film role, Alfred Herrhausen. Last year I shot about eleven months. You can no longer do sports. If I do have breakfast, it’s a fried egg with bacon. Or yogurt with granola.
Where do you buy your clothes?
Nowhere. That’s the common thing: you’re known and you get everything for free. For example, I was at Shaping New Tomorrow today, they outfit me. They make a fabric from recycled plastic; sustainable, water-repellent and incredibly comfortable because the fabric adapts to the body. But I much prefer to buy groceries than clothes.
What is the oldest item of clothing in your closet?
A black leather belt with a silver plated buckle. I took it away from a friend when I was 16 because I liked it so much.
When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand?
I recently wrote a letter to a girl I grew up with for a while.
What book has impressed you the most in life?
Shakespeare’s plays. Especially the Wars of the Roses.
How do you find out about world events?
Usually over the internet. And my girlfriend is a journalist. So I get everything anyway, even if I don’t want to hear it. I try to inform myself as little as possible about world events – because news is not good for me.
What’s your favorite small talk topic?
I would now be tempted to say: sex. But it’s probably much more food – and cooking. Coming from a food service background, my family had three Italian restaurants and we mostly talk about how to make or cook food. I recently planted olive trees because I want to make my own oil. I already have my own wine, which I launched in February.
What was the last movie that made you cry?
It’s hard to say because I’m easily sensitive to emotions and I often cry while watching movies. Probably because as an actor I have to be open. So it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the quality of a film when I start crying. Sometimes the strings come in just at the right time.
Are you superstitious?