German actors who deceased at age 72
Here are 20 famous actors from Germany died at 72:
Robert Siodmak
Robert Siodmak (August 8, 1900 Dresden-March 10, 1973 Ascona) otherwise known as Siodmak was a German film director, screenwriter, film producer and actor.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Siodmak began his film career in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, where he worked as an assistant director to his brother Curt Siodmak. He later moved to Paris and then to Hollywood, where he directed many successful films in the 1940s and 1950s. Siodmak is considered one of the pioneers of film noir, and his best-known films include "The Killers" (1946) and "Criss Cross" (1949). He worked with many famous actors such as Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, and Barbara Stanwyck. In addition to directing, Siodmak also wrote several screenplays and produced some of his own films. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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Helmut Griem
Helmut Griem (April 6, 1932 Hamburg-November 19, 2004 Munich) was a German actor and theatre director.
Griem began his acting career in the late 1950s, and quickly gained fame for his roles in both film and theater. He was particularly known for his performances on stage, and was a regular performer at Munich's famous Residenztheater.
Throughout his career, Griem appeared in a number of internationally acclaimed films, including the 1972 classic "Cabaret." He also worked extensively in television, and was widely regarded as one of Germany's most versatile and accomplished actors.
In addition to his acting work, Griem also directed a number of successful productions for the stage. He was known for his innovative and daring approach to theater, and was especially celebrated for his work on contemporary plays.
Griem continued to work in film, television, and theater until his death in 2004, leaving behind a rich legacy of memorable performances and groundbreaking productions.
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Eberhard Esche
Eberhard Esche (October 25, 1933 Leipzig-May 15, 2006 Berlin) was a German actor. He had one child, Esther Esche.
He died in pancreatic cancer.
Esche started his acting career in 1953 at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. He was known for portraying complex characters in both theater and film. One of his notable performances was in the 1968 film "Signale - Ein Weltraumabenteuer" where he played the lead role of Commander Lee. He was also a regular cast member of the Berliner Ensemble. In addition to his acting career, Esche was also a scriptwriter and director. He directed productions at the Schaubühne am Halleschen Ufer in Berlin and was a member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin. Despite his success, Esche was critical of the German Democratic Republic's cultural apparatchiks and their censorship.
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Erik Ode
Erik Ode (November 6, 1910 Berlin-July 19, 1983 Kreuth) also known as Eric Ode, Fritz Erik Signy Odemar or Ode was a German actor, film director and television director.
Erik Ode's career spanned over four decades, starting in the 1930s with roles in films such as "Fährmann Maria" and "Die Wirtin zum Goldenen Stern". He gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s for his role as detective Richard Brock in the television series "Der Kommissar". Ode not only acted in the series, but also directed several episodes.
Aside from acting and directing, Ode also wrote and produced films. In 1954, he co-wrote the screenplay for the film "Canaris", which garnered critical acclaim. In 1968, Ode directed and produced the film "Die Ente klingelt um halb acht", which he also starred in.
Ode continued to act and direct well into his 70s, with his last appearance on screen in the 1982 television series "Meister Eder und sein Pumuckl". He passed away the following year at the age of 72.
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Otto Wernicke
Otto Wernicke (September 30, 1893 Osterode am Harz-November 7, 1965 Munich) a.k.a. Wernicke or Otto Karl Robert Wernicke was a German actor.
Wernicke was best known for his roles in the films directed by Fritz Lang, specifically playing Inspector Karl Lohmann in the classic movie "M" (1931) and as the police commissioner in Lang's film "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" (1933). He began his acting career in theater before transitioning to silent films in the late 1910s. Wernicke appeared in over 100 films, often portraying authoritarian figures such as police officers or military commanders. Despite his success on screen, he faced persecution during the Nazi regime due to his Jewish heritage and was forced to flee Germany following the production of his last film in 1942. After the war, Wernicke returned to acting and appeared in several post-war films, including "The Third Man" (1949).
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Charles Paul Wilp
Charles Paul Wilp (September 15, 1932 Witten-January 2, 2005 Düsseldorf) a.k.a. Charles Wilp, Wilp, Charles or Charles M. Wilp was a German photographer, actor, artist, film editor and visual artist.
Born in Witten, Germany, Charles Wilp began his career as a photographer after working as a sales representative for a fashion company. He is recognized for his work in fashion photography and advertising, notably his shots for Volkswagen and Opel. Later on, he became renowned for his avant-garde art installations and audacious commercial campaigns. He was a master of the surreal, blending elements of pop and minimalism into his work. Wilp additionally made a name for himself as an actor, appearing in a number of films and TV shows throughout his career. His creative output was both innovative and daring, cementing his reputation in the world of art and advertising. He passed away in January 2005 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Otto Sander
Otto Sander (June 30, 1941 Hanover-September 12, 2013 Berlin) also known as Sander, Otto was a German actor, voice actor, theatre director and film director. He had one child, Meret Becker.
He died in esophageal cancer.
Otto Sander attended drama school in Stuttgart and then worked as a stage actor in Zurich, Berlin, and Munich. He was a prominent member of the Berliner Schaubühne ensemble, which revolutionized German theater in the 1970s. Sander made his film debut in Wim Wenders' acclaimed film "The Goalkeeper's Fear of the Penalty" (1972) and went on to appear in numerous German and international films, including "Das Boot" (1981), "Wings of Desire" (1987), and "Faraway, So Close!" (1993), all directed by Wim Wenders. Additionally, he was a prolific voice actor, providing the German voice for both Darth Vader and Mufasa in The Lion King. Sander also worked as a director, directing for the stage and screen, and his final film as director, "Lisbon Story," was released in 1994.
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Gottfried John
Gottfried John (August 29, 1942 Berlin-September 1, 2014 Utting) a.k.a. John, Gottfried was a German actor and voice actor.
He died as a result of cancer.
Gottfried John began his acting career in the late 1960s and gained recognition for his role as a villain in the 1981 James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only". He also appeared in other international films such as "Momo" and "The Boys from Brazil". In addition to acting in films, John was a renowned stage actor and appeared in numerous productions throughout his career including at the Berliner Ensemble, the Munich Kammerspiele, and the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. John was also a prolific voice actor in Germany and lent his voice to the German dubbing of many popular films and TV shows such as "The Lion King" and "The Simpsons". Throughout his career, John received several accolades for his work, including the prestigious National Prize of East Germany in 1987.
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Anton Diffring
Anton Diffring (October 20, 1916 Koblenz-May 19, 1989 Châteauneuf) also known as Alfred Pollack, Anthony Diffring, Antony Diffring or Anton de Vient was a German actor.
He died in unknown causes.
Diffring was known for his work in both German and British cinema, having appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout his career. He began acting in German films during the 1940s, but later moved to England in 1946 due to the post-war film industry booming in the UK. He quickly established himself as a versatile actor and became popular among British audiences for playing villains and antagonists in various films including "The Man Who Could Cheat Death" and "Circus of Horrors". Despite primarily playing villains, Diffring was also praised for his portrayal of complex characters such as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in the film "The Desert Fox".
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Georg H. Schnell
Georg H. Schnell (April 11, 1878 Yantai-March 31, 1951 Berlin) a.k.a. Georg Schnell, Georg Heinrich, G. H. Schnell, G.H. Schnell, George Schnell, Schnell, Georg Heinrich Schnell, Georg Schnell/Schnell, George Snell, Georg H.Schnell or G.H.Schnell was a German actor.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
Georg H. Schnell was born on April 11, 1878, in the city of Yantai, which is located in present-day China. He grew up in Germany and was a prominent actor during the early years of German cinema. Schnell appeared in over 200 films and worked with notable directors such as Fritz Lang and G.W. Pabst. He often played supporting roles and was known for his ability to convey a sense of dignity and gravitas on screen.
In addition to his work in film, Schnell also acted on stage and in radio dramas. He was a prolific voice actor and provided the German voice for many famous actors, including Charles Laughton and Claude Rains. During World War II, Schnell was banned from appearing in films by the Nazi regime due to his association with Jewish filmmakers.
Schnell was married to the actress Lotte Stein and they had a son named Michael. He passed away on March 31, 1951, in Berlin as a result of lung cancer. Despite his prolific career, Schnell's contributions to German cinema have largely been forgotten, but he remains an important figure in the history of European film.
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Karl John
Karl John (March 24, 1905 Cologne-December 22, 1977 Gütersloh) a.k.a. Johan Gangsater, Carl John or John Gangsater was a German actor and television director.
Karl John began his acting career in the 1920s and became known for his performances in German films. He appeared in over 70 films over the course of his career and was known for his versatility, playing a range of characters from villains to comedic roles. In addition to acting, John also worked as a television director in the 1950s, helping to shape the early days of German television. He won the German Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1956 for his role in the film "Kehraus". Karl John was married to actress Kathrin Clare Ward and they had two daughters together.
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Karl Lieffen
Karl Lieffen (May 17, 1926 Osek-January 13, 1999 Starnberg) a.k.a. Carel Frantiek Lifka, Karel František Lifka, Carel František Lifka or Karl Franz Lifka was a German actor.
He died as a result of brain tumor.
Lieffen was best known for his work in German films and television. He appeared in over 130 films during his career, including classics such as "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "The Guns of Navarone." He was also a regular on German television, appearing in series such as "Es muss nicht immer Kaviar sein" and "Tatort." In addition to his acting work, Lieffen was also a published author, writing about his experiences in the film industry.
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Erich Ponto
Erich Ponto (December 14, 1884 Lübeck-February 14, 1957 Stuttgart) also known as John Bruno Erich Ponto or Erich Johannes Bruno Ponto was a German actor. His children are called Eva Ponto, Klaus Ponto and Manoel Ponto.
Erich Ponto began his acting career in 1903 in the city of Königsberg, now known as Kaliningrad. He later performed in theaters in Hamburg, Berlin, and Dresden, and also appeared in some films in the 1930s and 40s. Some of his notable film roles include Dr. Schultz in "Münchhausen" (1943) and Herr Krüger in "Ludwig II" (1955).
Despite his success in theater and film, Erich Ponto became best known for his work on radio. He was a prolific voice actor and became a household name in Germany, particularly for his role as the character Meister Nadelöhr in the radio comedy "Nadel und Faden" ("Needle and Thread").
Erich Ponto passed away in 1957 in Stuttgart, Germany at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy as one of Germany's most beloved actors of his time.
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Fritz Genschow
Fritz Genschow (May 15, 1905 Berlin-June 21, 1977 Berlin) was a German film director, screenwriter, actor and film producer. He had three children, Heidi Genée, Marina Genschow and Gabriel Genschow.
Fritz Genschow began his career as an actor in the late 1920s, appearing in a number of German films during the silent era. During the 1930s, he transitioned to directing and producing films, and quickly became a prominent figure in the German film industry.
Despite his success, Genschow's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the Wehrmacht. After the war, he faced criticism for his association with the Nazi party, but was eventually able to resume his work in the film industry.
Throughout his career, Genschow directed and produced a wide range of films, including comedies, dramas, and thrillers. He was known for his ability to work quickly and efficiently, and for his strong leadership skills on set.
In addition to his work in film, Genschow was a well-known figure in the German theater world, and directed a number of plays during his career. He was also active in politics, serving as a member of the German Bundestag in the 1950s.
Despite his accomplishments, Genschow's career was ultimately cut short by health problems in the 1960s. He died in 1977 at the age of 72.
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Carl Jaffe
Carl Jaffe (March 21, 1902 Hamburg-April 12, 1974 London) also known as Carl Jaffé or Frank Alwar was a German actor.
He began his career in the German film industry during the early 1920s, and went on to become one of the country's most popular and versatile character actors. Jaffe appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, working with some of the most acclaimed directors of the time. He left Germany in 1933 due to the rise of the Nazi party and found success in Hollywood, where he made his English-language debut in the film "The Razor's Edge" (1946). Jaffe's notable performances include his portrayal of Professor Wurz in "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920), Dr. Mabuse in "Mabuse the Gambler" (1922), and a Nazi general in "The Dirty Dozen" (1967). He retired from acting in 1970 and died four years later in London at the age of 72.
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Herbert Wilk
Herbert Wilk (May 10, 1905 Gnoien-November 2, 1977 West Berlin) also known as Herbert Wilck was a German actor.
Wilk began his career in theater, performing in various plays in Berlin in the 1920s. He later transitioned to film and appeared in over 60 movies throughout his career. Some of his notable film credits include "Die Drei von der Tankstelle" (The Three from the Filling Station), "Kleines Mädel - Großes Glück" (Little Girl, Big Luck), and "Der Mann, der seinen Mörder sucht" (The Man Who Seeks His Murderer). During the Nazi regime in Germany, Wilk was banned from acting due to his political views and Jewish ancestry. After World War II, he continued his acting career, appearing in West German films and television shows.
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Guido Herzfeld
Guido Herzfeld (August 14, 1851 Berlin-November 16, 1923 Berlin) was a German actor.
Herzfeld was born to a Jewish family and began his acting career as a teenager. He was a prolific performer on stage and also appeared in several silent films in the early 20th century. Herzfeld was known for his versatility in playing a wide range of characters from comedic to dramatic roles. He was widely respected and admired for his contributions to the theatre and film industry in Germany. Despite being successful in his career, Herzfeld faced discrimination and persecution due to his Jewish heritage. He died in 1923 at the age of 72.
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Theodor Becker
Theodor Becker (January 11, 1880 Mannheim-June 26, 1952 Coppenbrügge) was a German actor. He had two children, Maria Becker and Renate Becker.
Born in Mannheim, Germany in 1880, Theodor Becker was an accomplished actor during his time. He began his career as a stage actor, working in several theaters in Germany, and eventually transitioned to film in the 1920s. With his powerful performances and commanding presence, he quickly gained widespread recognition as a talented actor, appearing in numerous films throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
Aside from his work in theater and film, Becker also taught acting at several drama schools in Germany. His teaching methods were admired by many students and actors, and he had a significant influence on the development of German theater and film.
Becker was married and had two children, Maria Becker and Renate Becker, both of whom also became successful actors. He passed away in 1952 in Coppenbrügge, Germany, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in acting and a profound impact on German theater and film.
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Siegmund Lubin
Siegmund Lubin (April 20, 1851 Wrocław-September 11, 1923 Ventnor City) also known as Siegmund Lubszynski, Sigmund Lubin, Pop or Lubin was a German film producer, actor, film director, optometrist and businessperson.
He died as a result of cardiovascular disease.
Lubin immigrated to the United States with his family in 1876 and settled in Philadelphia. He started his career as an optician, but his passion for film led him to open his own movie theater in 1895. Lubin then went on to establish his own film production company, Lubin Manufacturing Company, in 1897. Under his leadership, the company became one of the largest film studios in the world, producing over 3000 films and employing more than 600 people.
Lubin was a pioneer in the film industry and made significant contributions in the development of motion picture technology. He created his own cameras and projectors, filed patents for various film-related inventions and was the first to use light bulbs as an alternative to arc lamps in film production.
Lubin was also an actor, appearing in several of his own films under the stage name "Pop". However, he was more focused on the business aspect of filmmaking and sold his company to the Warner Bros. in 1916, retiring from the film industry soon after.
Despite his significant contributions to the film industry, Lubin remains relatively unknown compared to other early film pioneers. However, his impact on the industry is undeniable and his legacy lives on through the films he produced and the technology he developed.
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Curt Lucas
Curt Lucas (April 5, 1888-April 5, 1960 Berlin) was a German actor.
He was born in Berlin and began his acting career in theater during the 1910s. Lucas made his film debut in 1920 and went on to star in over 100 films throughout his career. He was known for his versatility, playing both comedic and dramatic roles. Some of his notable film credits include "Different from the Others" (1919), "M" (1931), and "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1943). Lucas was one of the few actors who continued working in the German film industry during the Nazi era, although his roles became more limited due to his Jewish heritage. After World War II, he again appeared in many films and television shows until his death in 1960.
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