German actors who died before turning 40
Here are 18 famous actors from Germany died before 40:
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder (May 31, 1945 Bad Wörishofen-June 10, 1982 Munich) otherwise known as Franz Walsch, R.W. Fassbinder, Rainer W. Fassbinder, Franz Alsch, Franz Walsh or R.W.F. was a German writer, screenwriter, film director, actor, television director, film editor, film producer, voice actor, author, television editor and cinematographer.
He died as a result of drug overdose.
Fassbinder was known for his prolific output, having directed, written and produced over 40 feature films, television movies and series, stage plays, and radio dramas in a career spanning only 16 years. He was a key figure in the New German Cinema movement of the 1970s, which sought to revitalize German film culture and challenge societal taboos.
His films often explored themes of sexuality, politics, and society, and he was unafraid to tackle controversial subject matter. Some of his notable films include "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul", "The Marriage of Maria Braun", and "Berlin Alexanderplatz". He was also involved in the avant-garde theater scene, and his plays were often performed in his own theater, the Antitheater.
Fassbinder's personal life was also often tumultuous, with numerous romantic relationships and struggles with drug addiction. His death at the age of 37 was a shock to the film world, and his legacy continues to influence contemporary cinema.
Read more about Rainer Werner Fassbinder on Wikipedia »
Werner Stocker
Werner Stocker (April 7, 1955 Flintsbach-May 27, 1993 Munich) was a German actor.
He is best known for his role as the character "Clown" in the 1987 film "Wings of Desire" directed by Wim Wenders. He also appeared in other notable German films such as "Kamikaze 1989" and "Rossini". Stocker began his career in theater and was a member of the ensemble at the Munich Kammerspiele. He was known for his intense and authentic performances, often playing complex or troubled characters. Stocker died at the age of 38 due to complications from AIDS, which he had contracted in the early 1980s.
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Matthias Hinze
Matthias Hinze (February 7, 1969 Berlin-April 13, 2007 Berlin) was a German actor and voice actor.
Hinze started his career as a child actor and later became a successful voice actor. He was known for providing the German voice dubbing for a number of popular Hollywood actors, including Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Some of his notable voice over roles included Sid in the German version of "Ice Age" and Jarvis in the German version of "Iron Man". Hinze also appeared in a number of German television shows and films throughout his career. He was posthumously awarded the German Dubbing Prize for his outstanding contributions to the world of voice acting.
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Joachim Gottschalk
Joachim Gottschalk (April 10, 1904 Calau-November 6, 1941 Berlin) also known as Jochen was a German actor. He had one child, Michael Gottschalk.
Joachim Gottschalk was born in Calau, Germany and started his acting career in the 1920s. He appeared in several films during the 1930s, including the popular movie "Tanz auf dem Vulkan" (Dancing on the Volcano). Gottschalk was known for his good looks and charming personality, which made him very popular with audiences. In addition to acting, he also worked as a director and writer.
During World War II, Gottschalk was drafted into the German army, but he continued to act in films and on stage. He also used his celebrity status to speak out against the Nazi regime, which put him at risk. In 1941, he and his wife were arrested by the Gestapo and taken to a concentration camp. Despite efforts by friends to secure his release, he was found hanged in his cell on November 6, 1941, in what was officially declared a suicide. However, his death remains shrouded in mystery and some have suggested foul play.
Gottschalk's legacy lives on through his films, many of which are still popular today. He is also remembered for his resistance to the Nazi regime and his bravery in speaking out against injustice.
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Peter Lee Lawrence
Peter Lee Lawrence (February 21, 1944 Lindau-April 20, 1974 Rome) a.k.a. Karl Hirenbach, Arthur Grant or Karl Hyrenbach was a German actor. He had one child, David Hyrenbach.
He died in cancer.
Peter Lee Lawrence was best known for his work in Spaghetti Westerns, starring in over 30 films in the genre. He began his career in the early 1960s in German films before transitioning to Italian productions. Some of his most notable roles include "Death Walks in Laredo," "Wanted," and "Gentleman Killer." Lawrence was also a talented musician and released several albums throughout his career. In addition to acting, he was also named Mr. Germany in 1962 and competed in the Mr. Universe competition. Unfortunately, Lawrence's life was cut short when he passed away from cancer at the young age of 30 in Rome in 1974.
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Hanns Lothar
Hanns Lothar (April 10, 1929 Hanover-March 11, 1967 Hamburg) a.k.a. Hanns Lothar Neutze or Hanns Neutze was a German actor. His children are Susanne Lothar and Marcel Werner.
Hanns Lothar began his acting career in 1947 as a stage actor, eventually making his way to film and television. He appeared in over 70 films and television shows throughout his career, becoming a popular face in German cinema. He was known for his versatility and played a wide range of characters, from villains to romantic leads. Some of his notable film roles include "Der Fälscher von London" (The Forger of London), "Das indische Tuch" (The Indian Scarf), and "Die Nibelungen" (The Nibelungs).
In addition to acting, Hanns Lothar was also a talented singer and recorded several songs throughout his career. He was known for his charm and charisma, both on and off screen.
Tragically, Hanns Lothar died at the young age of 37 from a heart attack. He is remembered as one of Germany's most beloved actors, whose career was cut short far too soon. His daughter, Susanne Lothar, also went on to become a successful actor, known for her work in films such as "The Reader" and "Funny Games".
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Harry Domela
Harry Domela (April 5, 2015 Latvia-April 5, 1978 Maracaibo) was a German actor and writer.
He was born to a Latvian father and German mother, and grew up in various cities in Europe including Berlin and Vienna. Domela started his career as a stage actor in Germany in the 1920s, and later expanded into film and television roles. He appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, including the 1932 classic "M" directed by Fritz Lang.
In addition to acting, Domela was also a prolific writer. He wrote numerous articles, essays, and books on topics ranging from social justice to spirituality. His most famous work is the book "The Search for the Divine," which explores the intersection of religion and philosophy.
Domela was forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1933 due to his leftist political beliefs and Jewish heritage. He eventually settled in Venezuela, where he continued to act and write until his death in 1978 at the age of 63. Despite living abroad for decades, Domela remained an outspoken critic of totalitarian regimes and a champion of human rights throughout his life.
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Frank Giering
Frank Giering (November 23, 1971 Magdeburg-June 23, 2010 Berlin) was a German actor.
He first gained recognition for his role in the film "Funny Games" in 1997. He went on to appear in over 80 films and television shows, including "The Experiment" and "A Coffee in Berlin." Giering was known for his ability to portray complex and dark characters, and was regarded as one of the most talented actors in Germany. He tragically passed away in 2010 at the age of 38 due to a severe fall from his apartment window. His death was mourned by many in the film industry and his fans, who regarded him as a true talent and a rising star.
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Sebastian Droste
Sebastian Droste (April 5, 1892 Hamburg-June 27, 1927 Hamburg) also known as Willy Knobloch was a German actor.
He began acting in theater in 1915 and later transitioned to film in the 1920s. Droste appeared in several popular films including "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920) and "Different From the Others" (1919), which was one of the earliest depictions of homosexuality in cinema. He was known for his expressive face and versatile acting skills. Unfortunately, Droste's promising career was cut short when he died at the young age of 35 due to complications from an operation. Despite his short life, Sebastian Droste had a significant impact on German cinema and is remembered as a talented actor.
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Werner Scharf
Werner Scharf (September 19, 1905 Leipzig-April 30, 1945 Rathenow) was a German actor.
Werner Scharf began his acting career in the early 1920s in various theaters throughout Germany. He made his film debut in 1931 in the movie "Der Draufgänger" (The Daredevil) and quickly became a popular actor in German cinema in the 1930s.
Despite his popularity, Scharf was drafted into the German military during World War II and served as a soldier on the eastern front. In April 1945, Scharf was killed in action in Rathenow, Germany, just days before the end of the war. He was 39 years old at the time of his death.
Scharf appeared in over 60 films during his career, including roles in "Zwei Welten" (Two Worlds), "Der Kaiser von Kalifornien" (The Emperor of California), and "Die 3 Codonas" (The Three Codonas).
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Aribert Mog
Aribert Mog (August 3, 1904 Berlin-October 2, 1941 Russia) was a German actor.
He is best known for his roles in the films "Menschen im Hotel" (People at a Hotel) and ""Ich klage an" (I accuse). Mog began his acting career on stage and later ventured into film in the early 1930s. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and became a well-respected actor in Germany. However, his career was cut short due to his death while serving as a soldier in the German army during World War II. Despite his short career, Mog is still remembered today for his outstanding performances on stage and screen.
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Dieter Schidor
Dieter Schidor (March 6, 1948 Braunschweig-September 17, 1987 Munich) was a German actor, film producer and film director.
He died caused by hiv/aids.
Dieter Schidor began his acting career in the 1970s, appearing in various German television series and films. He gained critical acclaim for his performance in the film "Nordsee ist Mordsee" (North Sea is Dead Sea) in 1976. Schidor then transitioned into producing and directing, creating documentaries as well as feature films.
In the 1980s, Schidor was active in the German LGBT community, advocating for LGBT rights and participating in numerous cultural events. He was also involved in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Germany, using his public platform to raise awareness about the disease and its impact.
Unfortunately, Schidor himself became a victim of the disease and passed away in 1987 at the age of 39. He is remembered for his contributions to the German film industry and his advocacy work for marginalized communities.
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Thomas Alder
Thomas Alder (January 1, 1932 Murnau am Staffelsee-May 6, 1968 Munich) also known as Anton Straßmair was a German actor.
He died in suicide.
Before his acting career, Thomas Alder was trained as a machinist and worked as a metal worker. He began his acting career at the age of 29 and found success as a character actor, appearing in both film and television productions. Alder was known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of roles, from serious dramatic roles to comedic characters.
Some of his notable film credits include "Die Herren mit der weißen Weste" (The Men in White Coats), "Glückspilze" (Lucky Kids), and "Die seltsamen Methoden des Franz Josef Wanninger" (The Strange Methods of Franz Josef Wanninger). On television, he appeared in popular German series such as "Der Kommissar" and "Derrick".
Despite his success, Alder struggled with depression and alcohol addiction. He took his own life at the age of 36, leaving behind a wife and two children.
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Louis Adlon
Louis Adlon (October 7, 1907 Berlin-March 31, 1947 Los Angeles) also known as Michael Duke or Duke Adlon was a German actor.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Louis Adlon was born into a family of hoteliers in Berlin, and he grew up in luxury at the Hotel Adlon, the family's five-star hotel. He was known for his handsome looks and charisma, which led him to pursue a career in acting. Louis Adlon made his film debut in 1932 with the movie "Es wird schon wieder besser," and quickly became a popular actor in Germany during the early 1930s. In 1933, Adlon was forced to flee Germany due to Nazi persecution, and he eventually settled in the United States.
In the US, he continued to work as an actor, starring in several English-language films such as "The Girl from Scotland Yard" (1937) and "Blondie Meets the Boss" (1939). He also appeared in a number of German-language films produced in Hollywood for the German expatriate community. Despite his success, Louis Adlon struggled with alcoholism, which contributed to health problems that ultimately led to his untimely death at the age of 39.
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Rudi Godden
Rudi Godden (April 18, 1907 Berlin-January 4, 1941 Berlin) otherwise known as Johannes Heesters, Rudi Godden, Carola Hohn & Mady Rahl or Heesters, Johannes, Godden, Rudi, Höhn, Carola & Rahl, Mady was a German actor and singer.
He was born in Berlin and started his career in the 1920s as a stage actor and singer. In the 1930s he became one of the most popular performers in German cinema, appearing in over 100 films. He often played romantic leads and his charming and suave screen persona made him a sex symbol of the time. During World War II, he continued to work in films, despite being conscripted into the German Army. He later claimed that he had only stayed in Germany during the war because he did not want to leave his elderly mother. After the war, he continued his career and became a beloved icon of German entertainment. However, controversy arose in the 2000s when he admitted to having performed for Nazi troops during the war, although he denied ever being a member of the Nazi party. He died in 2011 at the age of 108, having lived a long and colorful life as one of Germany's most enduring entertainers.
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Horst Caspar
Horst Caspar (January 20, 1913 Radegast-December 27, 1952 Dahlem) also known as Horst Joachim Arthur Caspar was a German actor.
He first gained prominence in cinema during the 1930s in several lead roles in German films, including "Der Mustergatte" (1937) and "Frau Sixta" (1938). During World War II, Caspar was conscripted into the German army, where he was injured and captured by Allied forces. After the war, he resumed his acting career and appeared in numerous films such as "Das Geheimnis der roten Katze" (1949) and "Schwarzer Kies" (1950). Caspar was also known for his work in theater, having performed in several productions in Berlin and Hamburg throughout the 1940s. His career was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident in Dahlem in 1952, at the age of 39.
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Horst Birr
Horst Birr (February 17, 1912 Leipzig-October 8, 1943 Norway) was a German actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing on stage and in films. His most notable film role was in the propaganda film "Hitlerjunge Quex" in 1933. Despite his success as an actor, Birr was drafted into the German army during World War II. He was killed in action in Norway in 1943 at the age of 31.
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Robert Dorsay
Robert Dorsay (August 16, 1904 Bremen-October 29, 1943 Berlin) also known as Robert Stampa or Robert Dorsav was a German actor.
Dorsay began his career in the German film industry in the 1920s and quickly gained popularity for his comedic roles. He appeared in over 50 films throughout his career and was known for his charming smile and expressive eyes.
In addition to his film work, Dorsay was also a successful stage actor, performing in both comedic and dramatic roles. He was especially praised for his performances in plays by Bertolt Brecht.
Despite his success, Dorsay's career was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. He joined the German army in 1941 and was sent to fight on the Eastern Front. He was wounded in battle and returned to Berlin, where he died of his injuries in 1943 at the age of 39.
Dorsay's legacy as a talented actor has endured, and many of his films are still celebrated as classics of German cinema.
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