Michaela May, actress: “His death tears a huge hole in my life. I knew Elmar since 1972. I was even in love with him during the first film together. But I had no chance, he already had a girlfriend back then. What followed instead was a lifelong friendship. We filmed so many things together, he was almost always my partner, and I loved that. Because he had sensitivity and empathy as a person and as an actor. Because he played from his soul, your heart opened as a viewer. He was modest, he didn’t like anything loud. His private life was always more important to him than any social bugbear. During the Corona period, we launched a senior project together, the association ‘Retla’, which stands for ‘age’, only read backwards. As so-called telephone angels, we looked after lonely people and simply talked to them, often in pairs. That brought us even closer to each other as friends. He was a wonderful person in the truest sense.”
Uschi Glas, actress: “Elmar Wepper was not only a favorite colleague of mine, but also a real friend. I can’t believe it and I’m very sad.”
Doris Dörrie, director who worked with him on the film “Cherry Blossoms – Hanami”, among other things: “Elmar, wonderful actor, wonderful person. I will miss you very much.”
Wonderful trio: Hannelore Elsner with director Doris Dörrie and Elmar Wepper during the filming of “Cherry Blossoms – Hanami”.
(Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa)
Johanna Bittenbinder, actress: “He was a soulful human being and a great actor without any airs and graces. He was also an absolute favorite colleague! That really hit me hard.”
Franz Xaver Bogner, director and author (“Somehow and Anyway”): “I’m deeply shocked by the news. So many days of filming that we spent together. And Elmar was always a great support, an assurance that things would be good for me. His acting was always better than what was written. I could rely on that. In a very strange way, I now remember his last words as America Sepp in ‘Somehow and Anyway’: ‘At some point everyone has to go home, no matter where that is.’ Ciao, Elmar, I miss you already.”
Elmar Wepper in Franz Xaver Bogner’s series “Somehow and Sowieso” from 1986 (left next to Ottfried Fischer).
(Photo: United Archives / kpa via www.imago-images.de/imago images/United Archives)
Christoph Gröner, Director of the Munich Film Festival: “Elmar Wepper had what always characterizes the great Munich folk actor type, endless charisma and bold mischievousness. Over the years, he was always a very welcome guest at the big receptions at the Munich Film Festival. And amazed us with his Cinema has been completely reinvented since ‘Hanami’. A multi-faceted, wise actor has left us.”
Florian Gallenberger, President of the German Film Academy and director who, among other things, worked with him on the feature film “It Won’t Get Greener”: “Dear Elmar, you gave gifts to everyone who knew you, and of course especially to those who were lucky enough to have you as a friend, again and again. With your almost endless warmth of heart, your human generosity and your wonderful laughter . Your empathy, your sensitivity and your interest in everything human not only made you one of the greatest actors in this country, but above all the unique person that you were. Just two days ago we were texting each other and had loose plans decided when we want to meet. Now I’m dead sad and stunned, like probably everyone who was close to you. I would like to thank you for all the joy you have given us, for the wonderful trips we have taken with you and yours Figures were allowed to go and for the happiness that you shared with us. I would like to say my heartfelt condolences to your wonderful wife Anita and your son Elmar. We will all miss you so much!”
They shot the film “It won’t get any greener” together: Elmar Wepper and director Florian Gallenberger at the Film FernsehenFonds Bayern (FFF) press reception in 2017.
(Photo: Catherina Hess)
Prime Minister Markus Söder: “It was with great shock that I learned of the death of Elmar Wepper. Elmar Wepper was a Bavarian all-rounder, he moved people’s hearts. He not only made his mark as an actor in unforgettable series such as ‘Somehow and Sowieso’ or ‘Polizeiinspektion 1’ He demonstrated a wide repertoire. Even as a voice actor for well-known Hollywood stars, his voice was present with people for decades. He was just as successful on the big screen, for example his performance in ‘Cherry Blossoms – Hanami’ was great. Elmar Wepper was a Bavarian actor at his best senses, someone who always managed to embody our homeland in film and television in a genuine and unpretentious manner. Bavaria will always keep his memory honorable.”
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth: “The death of Elmar Wepper touches me very much. With him, Germany has lost an outstanding actor and a sensitive person who was honored not only for his acting skills, but also for his social commitment.”
Thomas Schwendemann, director and screenwriter: “‘There’s a time when things go together, and there’s a time when things go apart. And now we go o!’ (Martin Binser/Toni Berger). Thank you, Elmar Wepper, for so many unforgettable, authentic Bavarian film and television moments. I would have liked to have had the honor of filming with him, but unfortunately it never worked out. I hope He speeds through the white-blue sky with a Caddy ’59, listening to ‘Jambalaya’. Have a good trip.”
FC Bayern: “FC Bayern mourns the loss of its long-time member Elmar Wepper, who died at the age of 79. The popular Bavarian actor and sought-after voice actor joined the German record champions in October 1965 and was last listed in the club with the proud membership number 180 . Elmar Wepper was a regular guest at the Reds’ games in the Allianz Arena… FC Bayern’s thoughts are with Elmar Wepper’s relatives and friends.”