Paul Krendler

“

Officer Starling, you may know Mr. Krendler from the Department of Justice. Paul, this is the girl Jack Crawford sent in to Lecter. — Senator Martin

”

Paul Krendler
Information
Age	Forties
Status	Deceased
Behind the scenes
First appearance	The Silence of the Lambs (novel) Silence of the Lambs (film)
Last appearance	Hannibal (novel) Hannibal (film)
Portrayed by	Ron Vawter (The Silence of the Lambs film) Ray Liotta (Hannibal film) Michael Cudlitz (Clarice series)
Paul Krendler gallery

Paul Krendler is a Deputy Assistant Attorney General from the United States Justice Department. He makes his first appearance in the novel The Silence of the Lambs and also in the novel Hannibal. He is played by Ron Vawter in Silence of the Lambs and Ray Liotta in Hannibal. He will be played by Michael Cudlitz in the upcoming television series Clarice.

The Silence of the Lambs Novel

Krendler is described by Starling firsthand with the words "Krendler's bald spot was tanned and he looked fit at forty."

He holds many doubts over Clarice Starling's head as she is still just an agent in training and even takes her off the Buffalo Bill case after having her reveal harsh evidence of Catherine Martin in front of Senator Ruth Martin. He heavily criticizes the Behavioural Science Section Chief, Jack Crawford, for not taking compassionate leave due to his wife's illness. It is, however, only a fuel to his ego and not due to personal feelings.

Hannibal Novel

In this novel Clarice Starling describes Krendler as "...Her nemesis, Paul Krendler from Justice, with his long neck and his round ears set high on his head like the ears of a hyena. Krendler was a climber, the gray eminence at the shoulder of the Inspector General. Since she caught the serial killer Buffalo Bill ahead of him in a celebrated case seven years ago, he had dripped poison into her personnel file at every opportunity, and whispered close to the ears of the Career Board."

Krendler tries to discredit Starling after the failed drugs bust which left five dead. Krendler, working for Mason Verger, does everything he can to ruin her career. Hannibal Lecter is soon captured by Verger, in revenge for being mutilated by Lecter. Lecter escapes with an injured Starling and takes residence at Krendler's home. Lecter drugs Krendler and removes the top of his skull. Lecter and Starling dine on Krendler's brain while he is still alive, prepared elegantly. Krendler succumbs to his injuries, becomes the twenty ninth and final known victim of Lecter.

Films

The Silence of the Lambs

He is seen on the phone after Jack Crawford uses Senator Ruth Martin's name to gather information from Hannibal Lecter through Clarice Starling. Later he is seen with TV reporters in a rush to catch a flight.

Hannibal

In the movie, he conspires against Starling, partly because of being rebuffed ten years before and partly she caught Buffalo Bill before him. He works with Lecter's surviving victim, Mason Verger, in order to discredit Starling and to have Lecter captured and brutally killed. After Verger dies at the hands of his physician, Lecter follows Krendler to his home and incapacitate him. Lecter removes the top of Krendler's skull, and before a horrified Starling, cooks and feeds Krendler his own brain. Krendler later dies from his injuries.

Later, what appears to be Krendler's brain is shown as part of Lecter's meal on the plane, in which a young boy persuades him to let him try some of it.

Television Series

Clarice

To be added

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