German actors who deceased at age 56
Here are 8 famous actors from Germany died at 56:
Max Schreck
Max Schreck (September 6, 1879 Berlin-February 20, 1936 Munich) a.k.a. Friedrich Gustav Maximilian Schreck or Maximilian Schreck was a German actor.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Max Schreck is best known for his portrayal of Count Orlok in the classic horror film ‘Nosferatu’ (1922). Schreck's performance as the vampire was so influential that it inspired many other horror movies and adaptations of the ‘Dracula’ story. He began his career as a stage actor and appeared in numerous productions before transitioning to film. Schreck was known for his dramatic and often sinister performances, earning a reputation as one of Germany's most talented actors. In addition to his work in ‘Nosferatu,’ Schreck appeared in several other notable films, including ‘The Plague of Florence’ (1919), ‘The Golem’ (1920), and ‘Faust’ (1926). Despite his success, Schreck maintained a private personal life and little is known about his relationships or interests outside of acting.
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Max Pallenberg
Max Pallenberg (December 18, 1877 Vienna-June 26, 1934 Karlovy Vary) also known as Pallenberg, Max was a German actor, comedian and singer.
He was often referred to as one of the most popular entertainers during the Wiener Operettenära or Viennese operetta era. Pallenberg started his career in the early 1900s as a cabaret performer and eventually moved on to theater and film. He was known for his dynamic and lively performances and was often cast in comedic roles. Pallenberg also had a successful career as a songwriter and composer, creating popular tunes such as "Schnucki, ach Schnucki" and "Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen." Despite his success, his life was tragically cut short by a heart attack in 1934 while he was vacationing in Karlovy Vary.
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Ferdinand Dessoir
Ferdinand Dessoir (January 29, 1836 Wrocław-April 15, 1892 Dresden) was a German actor.
He was also a writer, director, and theater theorist, known for his contributions to the fields of theater and drama. Dessoir initially pursued a law career before devoting himself to the theater. He founded and managed several theaters in Germany, including the Berliner Theater and the Lessing Theater. Dessoir's writing on theater and drama, including his influential book "Das Theater als Kunst und Moral" (Theater as Art and Morality), helped shape modern theater theory and paved the way for modern drama. He was widely respected in the theater community, and his legacy continues to influence theater and drama today.
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Hans Adalbert Schlettow
Hans Adalbert Schlettow (June 11, 1888 Frankfurt-April 30, 1945 Berlin) a.k.a. H. A. Schlettow, Hans Adalberg Schlettow, Adalbert von Schlettow, Hans Adelbert Droescher von Schlettow, Hans A. Schlettow, Hans Schlettow, H.A. Schlettow, H. Albert Schlettow, Hans von Schlettow, Hans Adelbert von Schlettow, Hans Adalbert Droescher, Schlettow, H.A. v. Schlettow or Hans Adalbert von Schlettow was a German actor.
He began his acting career in 1907 and appeared in over 200 films throughout his career. Schlettow was a popular character actor during the Weimar Republic and Third Reich, often portraying authoritarian or military figures. He was a member of the Nazi Party and supported the ideology of National Socialism. During World War II, he played a leading role in organizing the theater scene in Berlin. Schlettow died by suicide on April 30, 1945, in Berlin during the Battle of Berlin, just a few days before the end of World War II.
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Albert Steinrück
Albert Steinrück (May 20, 1872 Bad Arolsen-February 10, 1929 Berlin) also known as Albert Steinruck was a German actor.
He began his acting career in the theater and appeared in numerous plays in Berlin and Vienna before transitioning to film in the 1910s. Steinrück went on to become one of the most renowned character actors in German cinema during the silent era.
He is perhaps best known for his roles in the films "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920) and "Faust" (1926), both of which are considered landmarks of German expressionism. Steinrück's intense and dynamic performances were praised for their emotional depth and complexity.
Despite his success in film, Steinrück remained devoted to the theater and continued to perform on stage throughout his career. He was known for his ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, from comic to tragic, and was admired for his versatility and craftsmanship.
Tragically, Steinrück died at the age of 56 from a heart attack while rehearsing for a play. He left behind a legacy as one of Germany's most celebrated actors and an enduring influence on the country's performing arts.
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Alwin Neuß
Alwin Neuß (June 17, 1879 Cologne-October 30, 1935 Berlin) a.k.a. Carl Alwin Heinrich Neuss or Alwin Neuss was a German actor and film director.
He started his career on stage and then transitioned to silent films, acting in many successful productions of the time. He also became a prolific director, often making films that showcased his talents as an actor. However, with the advent of sound in cinema, his career took a hit as his strong Cologne accent did not suit the new medium. He continued to act and direct until his untimely death in 1935, at the age of 56. Despite being a prominent figure in German cinema during the 1920s, his legacy is often overshadowed by the rise of Nazi censorship in the following decade.
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Horst Kube
Horst Kube (September 19, 1920 Berlin-October 18, 1976 East Berlin) was a German actor and marine engineer.
He started his acting career in 1946 with a role in the movie "Die Mörder sind unter uns". He quickly gained popularity for his roles in many films and TV series. In addition to his acting career, Kube was also a marine engineer and worked for the East German shipping company Deutsche Seerederei. He combined his passion for engineering and acting by often playing roles of sailors or captains in films. Kube was a respected actor in East Germany, receiving the coveted National Prize of East Germany for his role in the 1962 film "Der Arzt von Bothenow". Unfortunately, Kube died of a heart attack in 1976, at the age of 56. Despite his relatively short career, he made lasting contributions to East German cinema and left a lasting legacy in the film industry.
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Theo Mackeben
Theo Mackeben (January 5, 1897 Starogard Gdański-January 10, 1953 Berlin) also known as John Morris, Red Roberts or Mackeben, Theo was a German film score composer, pianist, composer, conductor and actor.
He began his career as a pianist and band leader in Berlin in the 1920s, quickly gaining popularity for his jazz-influenced arrangements. Mackeben went on to compose scores for dozens of German films, including the classics "The Blue Angel" and "Munchhausen". As a conductor, Mackeben led orchestras in Berlin, Vienna and Stockholm, and frequently performed as a soloist on piano. He was also a prolific composer of songs, many of which went on to become hits throughout Europe. During World War II, Mackeben was briefly imprisoned by the Gestapo for refusing to join the Nazi Party. He returned to music after the war, but suffered a heart attack in 1953 and died at the age of 56. Despite his relatively short career, Theo Mackeben remains a beloved figure in German music history.
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