Harry Baer (born Harry Zöttl on September 27, 1947) is a German actor, producer and author best known for his work with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He has also been credited as Harry Bär. Harry Baer began his career in Munich when he joined the Action Theatre, a theatrical experimental group that later regrouped as the Antitheather under the leadership of Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He made his debut in Fassbinder's play Katzelmacher and had his first movie role in Fassbinder's film adaptation. He had two starring roles in Gods of the Plague (Götter der Pest) (1970) and Jail bait (Wildwechsel) (1973) , both directed by Fassbinder. During this early period of his career he also had the leading role in director Hans-Jürgen Syberberg film Ludwig - Requiem for a Virgin King (Ludwig - Requiem für einen jungfräulichen König) (1972), in which he played the title role, King Ludwig II of Bavaria. In the mid-1970s Harry Baer and Fassbinder had a professional and personal split that lasted until Fassbinder call him back in 1978 to work as his assistant director on The Marriage of Maria Braun (Die Ehe der Maria Braun).