A Man Called Horst

After a five-year absence from the U.S., German-born, globe-hopping Horst Buchholz is back.

You probably remember him best for his role of the young Mexican gunslinger who helps liberate a village in “The Magnificent Seven” (1960).

Now, he laughs, “I’m part of the magnificent four--of the air.”

Buchholz is co-starring as a German pilot in “Aces,” the second sequel to “Iron Eagle,” now shooting near Tucson.

The action-adventure from Carolco Pictures again stars Louis Gossett Jr., with Rachel McLish as a woman who enlists his help in taking on a drug warlord. Gossett puts together a team of maverick air-show aces comprising Buchholz, Britain’s Christopher Cazenove and Japan’s Sonny Chiba. John Glen (“Licence to Kill”) directs.

Buchholz was introduced to American audiences in “Tiger Bay” (1959), and has always remained busy, moving between feature films and TV productions abroad. Fluent in five languages, he spends three months of every year appearing in plays in Germany or Austria.

Born in Berlin 57 years ago, married for 33 years, he keeps homes in Switzerland, France and Germany.

“But I’m pretty much at home anywhere,” says Buchholz, “as long as the bed is hard enough and there’s a shower and I can make my own tea.”