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Herbert Köfer (17 February 1921 – 24 July 2021) was a German actor, voice artist, and television presenter. He was the first German TV news presenter for the East German

Deutscher Fernsehfunk Deutscher Fernsehfunk (DFF; German for "German Television Broadcasting") was the state television broadcaster in the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) from 1952 to 1991. DFF produced free-to-air terrestrial television programming ...

, and also presented the station's last news before the

reunification of Germany German reunification (german: link=no, Deutsche Wiedervereinigung) was the process of re-establishing Germany as a united and fully sovereign state, which took place between 2 May 1989 and 15 March 1991. The day of 3 October 1990 when the Ge ...

. His first theatre engagement was in 1940, and he kept acting until the age of 100. Köfer played an SS-Hauptsturmführer in the 1963 film '' Nackt unter Wölfen'' (''Naked Among Wolves''). He was known for detective series such as ''

Polizeiruf 110 ''Polizeiruf 110'' ("Police call 110") is a long-running German-language detective television series likened to Poirot. The name links to the emergency telephone number of the ''Volkspolizei''. The first episode was broadcast 27 June 1971 in the ...

'' and for comic roles. He founded his own troupe, ''Köfers Komödiantenbühne'', in 2003, and published memoirs.

Life

Herbert Köfer was born in

Prenzlauer Berg Prenzlauer Berg () is a locality of Berlin, forming the southerly and most urban district of the borough of Pankow. From its founding in 1920 until 2001, Prenzlauer Berg was a district of Berlin in its own right. However, that year it was incorp ...

, Berlin. He went to acting school and started his career in 1940 with first engagements at the theatre in Brieg,

Lower Silesia Lower Silesia ( pl, Dolny Śląsk; cz, Dolní Slezsko; german: Niederschlesien; szl, Dolny Ślōnsk; hsb, Delnja Šleska; dsb, Dolna Šlazyńska; Silesian German: ''Niederschläsing''; la, Silesia Inferior) is the northwestern part of the ...

. From 1941 to 1945 Köfer served in the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previous ...

. He was a prisoner of war; when he returned, he worked in different theatres in Berlin, including the

Volksbühne The Volksbühne ("People's Theatre") is a theater in Berlin. Located in Berlin's city center Mitte on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz (Rosa Luxemburg Square) in what was the GDR's capital. It has been called Berlin's most iconic theatre. About The Vol ...

, Deutsches Theater and Kabarett Kleine Bühne. From 1952, he worked for the East German TV channel

and was on 21 December 1952 the first German TV presenter, moderating ''

Aktuelle Kamera Aktuelle Kamera (''"Current Camera")'' was the flagship television newscast of Deutscher Fernsehfunk, the state broadcaster of the German Democratic Republic (known as ''Fernsehen der DDR'' from 11 February 1972 to 11 March 1990). On air from 21 ...

''. Köfer was both the presenter of the first moments of East German television and the host of the final show nearly 40 years later on 31 December 1991. Beginning in the late 1950s, he had roles as an actor in films and TV series. He also became part of the cabaret '. In '' Nackt unter Wölfen'' (''Naked Among Wolves''), he played the role of SS-Hauptsturmführer Kluttig. He was known for detective series such as ''

'' and for comic roles. He was popular as Opa Paul Schmidt in the TV series ''Rentner haben niemals Zeit'' (Senior citizens never have time). After the

, he continued his career. In 2003 he founded his stage show ''Köfers Komödiantenbühne''. In March 2008 he published his biography ''Nie war es so verrückt wie immer …'' (It is never as crazy as always). Köfer lived in the

Potsdam-Mittelmark Potsdam-Mittelmark is a ''Kreis'' (district) in the western part of Brandenburg, Germany. Its neighbouring administrative units are (clockwise from the north) the district of Havelland, the free cities of Brandenburg and Potsdam, the state of Berl ...

district near the

Seddiner See Seddiner See is a municipality in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, in Brandenburg, Germany. Demography File:Bevölkerungsentwicklung Seddiner See.pdf, Development of population since 1875 within the current Boundaries (Blue Line: Population; Do ...

. From 2000 until his death, he was in his third marriage with actress Heike Köfer. His daughters Mirjam Köfer and Geertje Boeden from his second marriage to actress Ute Boeden are also actresses. His son

Andreas Köfer Andreas ( el, Ἀνδρέας) is a name usually given to males in Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Armenia, Estonia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Finland, Flanders, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. The name ...

from his first marriage is a cinematographer. He also had a foster daughter. Köfer turned 100 in February 2021, and died in Berlin five months later.

Films

Films with Köfer include: * 1951: ''

Die Sonnenbrucks ''Die Sonnenbrucks'' is an East German East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on ...

'' * 1953: ''

Anna Susanna ''Anna Susanna'' is an East German drama film directed by Richard Nicolas. It was released in 1953. Plot During the Great Depression, a rich businessman named Brinkmann decides sink his ship, ''Anna Susanna'', so he would be compensated by the i ...

'' * 1956: ''

Der Teufelskreis ''Der Teufelskreis'' is an East German East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on ...

'' * 1957: ''

Mazurka der Liebe ''Mazurka der Liebe'' is an East Germany, East German film. It was released in 1957. It is an adaptation of the 1882 operetta ''Der Bettelstudent''. External links

* 1957 films 1957 musical films German musical films East German films 195 ...

'' * 1959: '' Maibowle'' (''The Punch Bowl'') * 1959: ''

Reportage 57 ''Reportage 57'' is an East German film, released in 1959. It was directed by János Veiczi and stars Annekathrin Bürger, Willi Schrade and Gerhard Bienert. The film is said to have "drew on negative depictions of Halbstarke and rock 'n' roll in ...

'' * 1960: ''

Die schöne Lurette ''Die schöne Lurette'' is an East German film. It is an adaptation of the opéra comique ''Belle Lurette]'' by Jacques Offenbach Jacques Offenbach (, also , , ; 20 June 18195 October 1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist and imp ...

'' * 1963: '' Reserved for the Death, Reserviert für den Tod'' (''Reserved for the Death'') * 1963: '' Nackt unter Wölfen'' (''Naked Among Wolves'') * 1964: ''

Schwarzer Samt ''Schwarzer Samt'' (English language, English: ''Black Velvet'') is a German crime film from Heinz Thiel produced by the DEFA in the year 1964. Plot summary The Stasi, State Security Service detains the photographer Gwendoleit, who as courier wa ...

'' * 1964: ' * 1965: ''

Der Reserveheld ''Der Reserveheld'' is an East German comedy film. It was released in 1965 and starred Rolf Herricht and Marita Böhme Marita Böhme (born 7 May 1939) is a German actress. She appeared in more than forty films from 1962 to 2005. Selected filmo ...

'' * 1965: '' Denk bloß nicht, ich heule'' * 1965: '' Hände hoch oder ich schieße'' (''Hands Up or I'll Shoot'') * 1967: ''

Hochzeitsnacht im Regen ''Wedding Night in the Rain'' (german: Hochzeitsnacht im Regen) is a 1967 East German musical romantic comedy film, directed by Horst Seemann and starring Frank Schöbel, Traudl Kulikowsky, and Herbert Köfer Herbert Köfer (17 February 19 ...

'' * 1967: ''

Ein Lord am Alexanderplatz ''Ein Lord am Alexanderplatz'' (''A Lord of Alexander Square'') is an East German East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation o ...

'' * 1967: ''

Frau Venus und ihr Teufel ''Frau Venus und ihr Teufel'' is an East German film. It was released in 1967. Cast * Manfred Krug: Hans Müller / Tannhäuser * Ursula Werner: Maria / Moritz * Inge Keller: Venus * Wolfgang Greese: Landgraf * Helga Labudda: Josephine * Peter ...

'' * 1968: ''

Hauptmann Florian von der Mühle ''Hauptmann Florian von der Mühle'' is an East German film. It was released in 1968. Cast * Manfred Krug: Florian * Regina Beyer: Duchess Guastalla * Rolf Herricht: Amadeus * Gisela Bestehorn: Baroness Colloredo * Jutta Klöppel: Fanny Schauen ...

'' * 1969: ''

Jungfer, Sie gefällt mir ''Jungfer, Sie gefällt mir'' is an East German film, based upon the play ''The Broken Jug'' by Heinrich von Kleist Bernd Heinrich Wilhelm von Kleist (18 October 177721 November 1811) was a German poet, dramatist, novelist, short story writer an ...

'' * 1970: '' Jeder stirbt für sich allein'' (three mini series) * 1971: '' KLK an PTX – Die Rote Kapelle'' (''KLK Calling PTZ – The Red Orchestra'') * 1972: ''

Tecumseh Tecumseh ( ; October 5, 1813) was a Shawnee chief and warrior who promoted resistance to the expansion of the United States onto Native American lands. A persuasive orator, Tecumseh traveled widely, forming a Native American confederacy and ...

'' * 1972: ''

Walter Defends Sarajevo ''Walter Defends Sarajevo'' (; ) is a 1972 Yugoslav partisan film, directed by Hajrudin Krvavac and starring Bata Živojinović, Ljubiša Samardžić and Rade Marković. The film centres around a mysterious figure named 'Walter', who is actively ...

'' (''Валтер брани Сарајево'') * 1973: ''

'': ''Nachttresor'' (TV series, thenfrequently) * 1974: ' * 1978: '' Rentner haben niemals Zeit'', as Opa Paul Schmidt (TV series) * 1982: ''

Geschichten übern Gartenzaun ''Geschichten übern Gartenzaun'' is an East German television series. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of television series produced in Germany: Current Drama * ''4 Blocks'' (TNT Serie, 2017–2019) * ' ...

'' (TV series) * 1984–1986: ''

Familie Neumann ''Familie Neumann'' is an East German television series originally broadcast in 1984. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of television series produced in Germany: Current Drama * '' 4 Blocks'' ( TNT Serie ...

'' / ''Neumanns Geschichten'' (TV series) * 1993: ''

Auto Fritze ''Auto Fritze'' is a German family television series, broadcast between 1993 and 1994 set in a garage and revolving around the Fritze brothers. One of them is an idealist who commits himself to restoring vintage cars while the other is a materi ...

'': ''Weiberwirtschaft'' * 1993: ''

Immer wieder Sonntag ''Immer wieder Sonntags'' (''Again on Sundays'') is a German television entertainment show which is broadcast live every Sunday in the summer months from Europa Park in Rust, Southwest Germany. The series was first aired in 1995 and is produced ...

'': ''Das neue Haus'' * 1994: '' Elbflorenz'' (TV series) * 1997: ''

Dr. Sommerfeld – Neues vom Bülowbogen is a German television series. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of television series produced in Germany: Current Drama * ''4 Blocks'' (TNT Serie, 2017–2019) * ''Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpol ...

'': ''Der neue Doktor'' (TV series) * 2000: ''

Wolffs Revier ''Wolffs Revier'' is a German television series. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of television series produced in Germany: Current Drama * ''4 Blocks'' (TNT Serie, 2017–2019) * ''Alarm für Cobra 11 � ...

'': ''Wolffs Falle'' (TV series) * 2001–2021: ''

In aller Freundschaft (''In all friendship'') is a German television soap opera that began airing in 1998 every Tuesday. The series follows the staff of the fictional Sachsenklinik hospital in the city of Leipzig. The series is produced by Degeto (a subsidiary of ...

'' (TV series, four episodes) * 2002: ''

Unser Charly ''Unser Charly'' (in English Our Charly) is a German television series produced by Phoenix Film and broadcast on ZDF. It ran from 27 December 1995 to 9 June 2012. See also *List of German television series The following is a list of televi ...

'': ''Rufmord'' (TV series) * 2005: ''

SOKO Wismar ''SOKO Wismar'' is a German police procedural television series that premiered on 6 October 2004 on ZDF. It is the fifth offshoot of ''SOKO München'', launched in 1978 under the name ''SOKO 5113''. "SOKO" is an abbreviation of the German word ...

'': ''Schöne Aussicht'' (TV series) * 2006: ''

Leipzig Homicide ''Leipzig Homicide (SOKO Leipzig)'' is a German crime drama television series first broadcast on 31 January 2001 on ZDF. More than 400 episodes have been screened since. On 12 November 2008, the first of a two-part crossover between ''SOKO Leipz ...

'': ''Katzenfutter'' (TV series) * 2007: ''

Allein unter Bauern ''Allein unter Bauern (Alone Among Farmers)'' was a German comedy television series, commissioned by Sat.1 and produced by Phoenix. It aired for ten episodes between 2006 and 2007 and was cancelled on 4 May 2007. See also *List of German televi ...

'': ''Der alte Mann und das Gewehr'' * 2007: ''

Ein starkes Team ''Ein starkes Team'' (German for: "a strong team") is a German crime television series developed by the German television channel ZDF since March 1994. Up to four new 90-minute episodes are broadcast annually, resulting in a current total of 89 e ...

'': ''Blutige Ernte'' (TV series) * 2008: ''

KDD – Kriminaldauerdienst ''KDD – Berlin Crime Squad'', German title ''KDD – Kriminaldauerdienst'' is a German television series that was broadcast from 2007 to 2010. The series differs from typical police procedurals by focusing on the daily work life and the private ...

'': ''Im Zwielicht'' (TV series) * 2010: ''

Notruf Hafenkante ''Notruf Hafenkante'' is a German television series broadcast on ZDF. It is set in Hamburg and is about the members of the police department PK 21 and the doctors of the fictional hospital Elbkrankenhaus. The show's premise is modelled on the ...

'': ''Alte Freunde'' (TV series) * 2012: Bis zum Horizont, dann links! * 2012: '' Heiter bis tödlich'': ''Akte Ex: Endlich Prinzessin'' (TV series) * 2014: ''

'': ''Letzte Wahrheit'' (TV series) * 2021: ''Krauses Zukunft'' (TV film)

Theatre

* 1946: Schiller's '' Die Braut von Messina'', as ''Don Cesar'', Neues Berliner Künstlertheater Kleinmachnow * 1951: Shakespeare's ''

Was ihr wollt Was or WAS may refer to: * ''Was'', a past-tense form of the English copular verb ''to be'' People * David Was (born c. 1952), the stage name of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter David Weiss * Don Was (born 1952), the stage name of bass guita ...

'',

Deutsches Theater Berlin The Deutsches Theater is a theater in Berlin, Germany. It was built in 1850 as Friedrich-Wilhelm-Städtisches Theater, after Frederick William IV of Prussia. Located on Schumann Street (Schumannstraße), the Deutsches Theater consists of two ad ...

* 1952: Shakespeare's '' Die Komödie der Irrungen'', Brandenburgisches Landestheater Potsdam * 1997: ''

Die Feuerzangenbowle ''Die Feuerzangenbowle'' (''The Fire Tongs Bowl'', ''The Punch Bowl'') is a German novel, later adapted into several films, which tells the story of a famous writer going undercover as a pupil at a small town gymnasium after his friends tell him ...

'', as Schnauz, Comödie Dresden * 1997: '' Im weißen Rössl'', as Wilhelm Gieseke, Comödie Dresden * 2010: ''Ritter Ludwig'', title role, Comödie Dresden

Publications

* ''Das war's noch lange nicht. Erinnerungen.'' Ullstein, Berlin 1995, . * ''Nie war es so verrückt wie immer…'' Das Neue Berlin, Berlin 2008, . * ''99 und kein bisschen leise'', 2019, .

Awards

* 1964:

Heinrich Greif Prize The Heinrich Greif Prize (German: ''Heinrich-Greif-Preis'') was an East German state award bestowed on individuals for contribution to the state's cinema and television industry. History The prize was awarded by the East German Ministry of Cultur ...

* 1969:

Nationalpreis der DDR The National Prize of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) (german: Nationalpreis der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik) was an award of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) given out in three different classes for scientific, artistic, ...

, I. Klasse for ''Krupp und Krause / Krause und Krupp'' * 1977:

Vaterländischer Verdienstorden The Patriotic Order of Merit (German: ''Vaterländischer Verdienstorden'', or VVO) was a national award granted annually in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was founded in 1954 and was awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding ...

in bronze * 1979: Vaterländischer Verdienstorden in gold * (shared) * 2002: , for lifetime achievementsHerbert Köfer: Mit 99 zweite "Goldene Henne" fürs Lebenswerk
(in German) ''

Die Welt ''Die Welt'' ("The World") is a German national daily newspaper, published as a broadsheet by Axel Springer SE. ''Die Welt'' is the flagship newspaper of the Axel Springer publishing group. Its leading competitors are the ''Frankfurter Allg ...

'' 27 October 2020

References

External links

* *
Herbert Köfer
at film-zeit.de {{DEFAULTSORT:Kofer, Herbert 1921 births 2021 deaths East German actors East German television personalities German centenarians German male actors German male voice actors German television presenters German radio presenters Men centenarians Male actors from Berlin Recipients of the Patriotic Order of Merit Recipients of the National Prize of East Germany German Army personnel of World War II German prisoners of war in World War II