Lena Herzog studied philosophy at Mills College in California and took classes at Berkeley.
She had never seen his films and didn’t even know who he is.
Werner Herzog invented a story to disguise himself as a movie director.
Lena said to Anderson Cooper, “He told him he was an actor.”
He continued the trick for several months. Before Werner revealed his true identity, the couple had even moved into a house together.
“And I thought ‘My god, I’m in love… Too bad he’s an actor. What will I say to my mom? Lena said to Cooper.
The couple now lives in California. It is a strange place for a Hollywood eccentric who has always defied Hollywood conventions.
Werner Herzog told Cooper, “I fell in love in Los Angeles and I live here.”
Lena Herzog, a visual and photographic artist who works in multiple media.
She has taken photos on the set her husband’s film, taking documentary-style pictures that feature actors such as Nicolas Cage and Chrisitian Bae.
Cooper told Cooper that she has a career and that it is beneficial for her to travel with Werner on his filming.
“Everywhere he goes, there’s a topic,” she said to Cooper.
“I do stills for his film.”
Cooper asked Lena what she thought about her husband’s acting career, which included roles as villains in “Star Wars”, “The Mandalorian”, and “Jack Reacher.”
He’s proud of it,” she said. She said, “He brags about his accomplishment.”
Werner portrays Zek Chelovek in “Jack Reacher,” a cold-hearted, menacing leader of a Russian Gang who has lost his mind following decades spent in Soviet Gulags.
“I had Paris friends who in a panic called me to say… you are married to this man. Remember, we’re just one flight away,” Lena said to Cooper.
“I think that he is not afraid to poke fun at himself or to let other directors cast him as a caricature.”
Lena Herzog believes that her husband’s public image as a filmmaker obsessed with his work and willing to do anything for it has helped him land these roles.
“Werner plays into the perception that he is this wild man, capable of doing anything.”
Lena said that these perceptions are false.
“He is the sweetest of men… He is a very, very sweet and good man.”
Will Croxton produced and edited the video above.
