German actors who deceased at age 61
Here are 16 famous actors from Germany died at 61:
Bernd Eichinger
Bernd Eichinger (April 11, 1949 Neuburg an der Donau-January 24, 2011 Los Angeles) also known as Bernd was a German film director, film producer, screenwriter, television producer, actor and television director. He had one child, Nina Eichinger.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Eichinger began his career in the film industry as a producer in 1979 and quickly made a name for himself in German film circles. He was known for his influential work in popular films like "Downfall" (2004), "The Name of the Rose" (1986), and "The Never Ending Story" (1984). Eichinger was a prolific producer and was involved in more than 100 films throughout his career, making him one of the most successful film producers in German history. Aside from his work in film, Eichinger also made significant contributions to German television, serving as a director and producer on several popular TV series. He was known for his outspoken opinions and love of controversy, often taking on controversial topics in his films and public statements. Ultimately, Bernd Eichinger's legacy in the film industry continues to live on, as his work has become a permanent fixture in German film history.
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Wolfgang Kieling
Wolfgang Kieling (March 16, 1924 Berlin-October 7, 1985 Hamburg) also known as Wofgang Kieling was a German actor and voice actor. He had three children, Annette Kieling, Florian Martens and Susanne Uhlen.
He died caused by complication.
Wolfgang Kieling started his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in various theater productions, films and TV shows. Some of his notable film roles include the character of Professor Bömmel in the movie "Das fliegende Klassenzimmer" (1954) and as the villain in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice" (1967). In addition to his acting work, Kieling was also a popular voice actor and lent his voice to various German dubs of foreign films and TV shows. He worked on Disney's "The Jungle Book" (1967) and also dubbed the voice of Darth Vader in the German versions of "Star Wars" (1977-1983).
In his personal life, Kieling was married three times and had three children. His daughter, Susanne Uhlen, is also a well-known German actress. Kieling died in Hamburg in 1985 from complication. Despite his relatively short life, Kieling left a lasting legacy in the German film and entertainment industry.
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John Gottowt
John Gottowt (June 15, 1881 Lviv-August 29, 1942 Wieliczka) a.k.a. Isidor Gesang was a German actor, theatre director and film director.
He died in homicide.
Gottowt was known for his contributions to the expressionist movement in film and theatre, with his most notable performance being in the 1920 film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". He was also a founding member of the revolutionary theatre group "Sturm-Bühne" in Berlin. Later in his career, Gottowt directed films such as "The Phantom of the Moulin Rouge" and "The White Devil". Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he was murdered by the Nazis in 1942 during the Holocaust.
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Konrad Ernst Ackermann
Konrad Ernst Ackermann (February 1, 1710 Schwerin-November 13, 1771 Hamburg) was a German actor. His children are called Marie Magdalene Charlotte Ackermann and Dorothea Ackermann.
Konrad Ernst Ackermann was known for his comedic performances on stage and was particularly popular in Hamburg during the 18th century. He began his acting career in 1731 and quickly gained recognition for his talent. Ackermann was particularly skilled at improvisation and was known to ad-lib on stage during performances, much to the delight of his audiences.
In addition to his career as an actor, Ackermann also worked as a director and theater manager. He was the director of the Theater am Gänsemarkt in Hamburg from 1750 until his death in 1771. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the development of the theater and helped establish it as one of the leading theatrical institutions in Germany.
Ackermann's daughters, Marie Magdalene Charlotte and Dorothea, followed in their father's footsteps and became successful actresses in their own right. Marie Magdalene Charlotte, in particular, was a celebrated actress and singer who performed throughout Germany and was known for her interpretations of roles in plays by Shakespeare and other playwrights.
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John Steppling
John Steppling (August 8, 1870 Essen-April 5, 1932 Hollywood) a.k.a. John Stepling or John C. Steppling was a German actor and film director. He had one child, Carl Steppling.
Steppling began his career in German theater, working in both acting and directing. He was known for his versatility and ability to tackle a variety of roles. In 1910, he made his way to Hollywood, where he continued to act and direct films. He worked on a number of productions during his time in America, including the silent films "The Hell Cat" and "The Death Kiss."
Steppling was a prolific figure in the early days of Hollywood, and his contributions to both acting and directing helped shape the industry as we know it today. Despite his success in Hollywood, however, he remained connected to his German roots, and continued to work in theater in Germany throughout his career.
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Emanuel Schikaneder
Emanuel Schikaneder (September 1, 1751 Straubing-September 21, 1812 Vienna) otherwise known as Johann Joseph Schikaneder, Schikaneder, Emanuel or Johann Joseph Schickeneder was a German impresario, librettist, opera singer, actor, playwright and musician. His child is Franz Schikaneder.
Most notably, Schikaneder is known for his collaboration with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, particularly in the creation of the opera "The Magic Flute." Schikaneder wrote the libretto for the opera and also performed the role of Papageno in the first production. Besides Mozart, Schikaneder also worked with other prominent composers, including Johann Strauss II. Schikaneder owned and managed several theatres in Vienna, and was renowned for his ability to create pieces that reflected the popular tastes and interests of his audiences. He was a flamboyant and charismatic figure, known for his extravagant costumes and performances, and was influential in shaping the development of German-language theatre.
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Karl Ludwig Diehl
Karl Ludwig Diehl (August 14, 1896 Halle-March 8, 1958 Berghof) also known as Carl Ludwig Diehl was a German actor.
He began his career in the early 1920s and appeared in over 100 films during his career. He was known for his versatile acting skills, portraying a wide range of characters from heroic leads to villains. Diehl worked with some of Germany's most acclaimed directors, including Fritz Lang and Frank Wisbar, and was known for his performances in films such as "M" (1931) and "Titanic" (1943). In addition to his film work, Diehl also performed on stage and in radio dramas. He continued acting throughout World War II and was convicted of Nazi propaganda activities after the war. Despite this, he continued to work in the film industry until his death in 1958.
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Ulrich Bettac
Ulrich Bettac (May 2, 1897 Szczecin-April 20, 1959 Vienna) also known as Ulrich Ewald Berthold Bettac or Ulrich Berthold Bettac Ewald was a German actor and screenwriter.
Ulrich Bettac began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor performing in various theaters across Germany. He later transitioned to the film industry and appeared in over 40 movies during his career. In addition to acting, Bettac also worked as a screenwriter and penned the scripts for several films. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in the 1939 film "The Ore Mountains" directed by Herbert Maisch.
During World War II, Bettac served in the German military, but after the war, he settled in Vienna where he continued to work in the film industry. He appeared in many Austrian films and worked as an acting instructor at the Vienna Film Academy.
Bettac was married to actress Carola Höhn, and the couple had one child together. After his death in 1959, he was buried in the Vienna Central Cemetery.
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Willy Semmelrogge
Willy Semmelrogge (March 15, 1923 Berlin-April 10, 1984 Berlin) a.k.a. Willi Semmelrogge was a German actor. He had two children, Martin Semmelrogge and Joachim Bernhard.
Willy Semmelrogge began his acting career as a stage actor in Berlin after World War II. He then went on to appear in films and television shows, becoming a well-known face in German cinema. Some of his most notable roles include Wilhelm Knolle in the film "Der Hauptmann von Köpenick" and Kriminalrat Lutz in the TV series "Derrick". Semmelrogge was also a voice actor, lending his voice to the German dubs of popular films such as "The Godfather" and "Star Wars". Despite his success as an actor, Semmelrogge struggled with alcoholism and passed away at the age of 61 due to complications from liver disease.
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Alfred Schieske
Alfred Schieske (September 6, 1908 Stuttgart-July 14, 1970 West Berlin) was a German actor. He had one child, Geriet Schieske.
Schieske began his career as a stage actor in Germany, and later transitioned to film in the 1930s. He appeared in over 70 films throughout his career, including the 1942 propaganda film "Ich klage an" ("I Accuse"), which was used by the Nazi party to promote the idea of mercy killing for the terminally ill. After World War II, Schieske was banned from acting for several years due to his involvement with the Nazi party, but he eventually returned to the screen in the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his role in the popular 1960s German film series "Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank" ("The Rascals from the First Bench"). Schieske passed away in 1970 at the age of 61.
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Frederick Valk
Frederick Valk (June 10, 1895 Hamburg-July 23, 1956 London) a.k.a. Fritz Valk was a German actor.
Valk began his career in German theater, working with renowned directors such as Max Reinhardt and Bertolt Brecht. He also appeared in several German films during the 1920s and early 1930s. However, with the rise of the Nazi Party, Valk, who was openly gay, fled Germany and settled in London.
In London, Valk continued to work as an actor and appeared in a number of films, including the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock thriller "Foreign Correspondent" and the 1947 adaptation of "Nicholas Nickleby". Valk was known for his expressive and versatile performances, and was often cast in supporting roles that required nuanced characterizations.
Despite his success in London, Valk never forgot his roots and continued to perform in German-language plays throughout his career. He was also a vocal critic of the Nazi regime and used his platform as an actor to denounce fascism and promote tolerance and inclusion.
Valk died in London in 1956 at the age of 61, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of Germany's most talented and courageous actors.
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Edgar Brasil
Edgar Brasil (April 5, 2015 Hamburg-January 4, 1954 Cruzeiro) otherwise known as Edgar Hauschildt or Edgar Brazil was a German cinematographer and actor.
Edgar Brasil was born Edgar Hauschildt in Hamburg, Germany in 1908. He started his career in the film industry as a cinematographer and worked on many German films in the 1930s including "Prelude to Happiness" (1936) and "A Waltz by Strauss" (1934).
In the mid-1930s, Edgar Hauschildt changed his name to Edgar Brasil and began acting in films as well. He appeared in several German films including "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1937) and "The Poisoned Diamond" (1943).
After World War II, Edgar Brasil moved to Brazil where he continued his career in the film industry. He worked on several Brazilian films as a cinematographer including "O Cangaceiro" (1953), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1954.
Edgar Brasil passed away on January 4, 1954, in Cruzeiro, Brazil at the age of 46. He left a lasting legacy in the film industry as a talented cinematographer and actor who worked on numerous classic films.
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Helmut Weiss
Helmut Weiss (January 25, 1907 Göttingen-January 13, 1969 Berlin) a.k.a. Paul Berking, Hellmuth Weiß, Helmuth Weiss, Helmut Weiß or Hellmut Weiss was a German film director, screenwriter and actor.
He began his career as an actor in the early 1930s, appearing in several films before transitioning to directing in the late 1930s. He directed a number of successful films, including "Die Drei Codonas" (1940), "Einmal der liebe Herrgott sein" (1942), and "Der himmlische Walzer" (1948).
Weiss also wrote screenplays for several of his films, and was known for his collaborations with actress Marika Rökk. He continued to direct and write films into the 1950s and 60s, and was a highly respected member of the German film industry.
In addition to his film work, Weiss also served as a combat cameraman during World War II, documenting the war effort for the German army. After the war, he was briefly imprisoned by the Allies before resuming his filmmaking career.
Weiss died in Berlin in 1969 at the age of 61.
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Friedrich Fehér
Friedrich Fehér (March 16, 1889 Vienna-September 30, 1950 Stuttgart) a.k.a. Friedrich Feher, Friedrich Weiss, Frederick Feher, Friedrich Féher or Fredrick Feher was a German film director, writer, actor and screenwriter. His child is Hans Feher.
Friedrich Fehér started his career in the theatrical industry before transitioning to film. He made his debut on the big screen in the 1913 movie "The Student of Prague" and later starred in the classic horror film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" in 1920. Aside from his work in front of the camera, Fehér also ventured into directing and writing, making notable contributions to the German film industry during the 1920s and 1930s.
However, Fehér's career was cut short due to the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. As a Jewish actor and director, he was forced to flee the country and seek refuge in other parts of Europe. In the 1940s, Fehér settled in Switzerland and continued to work in the film industry, directing and writing scripts for movies such as "The False Paradise" and "The Tempest."
Fehér's legacy in the film industry continues to be celebrated to this day, with his contributions to early German expressionist cinema and the horror genre being recognized by many film historians and enthusiasts.
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Hannjo Hasse
Hannjo Hasse (August 31, 1921 Bonn-February 5, 1983 Falkensee) otherwise known as H.Hasse or Hanjo Hasse was a German actor.
Hannjo Hasse started his acting career in the theater during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He gained recognition for his work in the East Berlin theaters such as the Deutsches Theater and the Volksbühne. His breakthrough role was in the 1955 film "Winter in the Woods" directed by Kurt Maetzig.
Hasse's career continued to flourish in East Germany during the 1960s and 1970s, and he appeared in over 70 films during his career. Some of his most notable roles include his portrayal of Professor Abraham van Helsing in the 1960 film "Count Dracula," and his role in the 1973 film "Jacob the Liar."
Aside from his acting work, Hannjo Hasse was also known for his political activism. He was a member of the East German communist party and a prominent advocate for socialist causes. Despite this, his work was well-regarded in both East and West Germany, and he was awarded the National Prize of East Germany in 1972.
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Charles Willy Kayser
Charles Willy Kayser (January 28, 1881 Metz-July 10, 1942) a.k.a. Charles von Kayser was a German actor and film director.
Kayser began his career in the theater before eventually transitioning to film. He made his directorial debut with the silent film "Die Bettlerin von St. Marien" in 1919 and went on to direct several more films throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He is also known for his acting roles in films such as "Faust" (1926) and "The Blue Angel" (1930). Kayser continued to work in the film industry until his death in 1942. Despite being a successful filmmaker, Kayser's work was largely overlooked by the Nazi regime and his films were not given the same attention as those of other German directors during the time.
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