At first, his cause of death was given as heart failure, then it was believed he died of alcohol poisoning until it was revealed by his father that a bilious attack was what led to his death.
Went to rehab in 2001 because of alcohol addiction.
Studied acting at the Potsdam School of Film and Television.
Lived with his mother until the age of 29 in Magdeburg. Then he moved to Berlin.