Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) said he was “deeply affected” by Fritz Wepper’s death. Like his brother Elmar, who also died, he was a “Bavarian actor in the very best sense”. “He managed to authentically embody our homeland in film and television,” wrote Söder in the short message service X. “Fritz Wepper has been an integral part of Bavarian living rooms for decades.”
The actor Fritz Wepper died on Monday at the age of 82, his lawyer and friend Norman Synek announced in Munich. Wepper, who was born in Munich, was best known to a wide audience for his roles in the television series “Derrick” and “Um Himmels Willen”.
As his wife Susanne Kellermann told the “Bild” newspaper, Fritz Wepper died in a hospice in Upper Bavaria. In recent years he has suffered from major health problems. Fritz Wepper’s younger brother Elmar, who was also an actor, died only in October.
Director König: “Someone who had a lot of fun playing”
The director Ulrich König worked closely with Fritz Wepper. The 74-year-old filmed 83 episodes for the series “For Heaven’s Sake” with Fritz Wepper. In an interview with BR, König said: “For me, he was one of the best actors I’ve ever worked with.” Like all good actors, “he was someone who had great fun acting.”
Roth: One of “the most successful German actors”
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth praised Wepper as “one of the most successful German actors who thrilled audiences and critics alike.” With his charisma and exceptional talent, Fritz Wepper has become one of the most popular German actors. “With his legendary role as Harry Klein in ‘Derrick’, he made television history not only in Germany,” Roth continued in Berlin on Monday.
The Mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, expressed his condolences to Fritz Wepper’s wife Susanne Kellermann: “I am very saddened by the sad news of your husband’s death. On behalf of the ladies and gentlemen of the city council of the state capital of Munich and also personally, I express my heartfelt condolences for this painful loss .” A very eventful and moving life has now come to an end. “His audience will always remember him fondly and the state capital of Munich will also honor his memory.”
Wepper was married to Susanne Kellermann for the second time. Both have a daughter together.
With information from epd and dpa