His performance as Adolf Hitler in Downfall spawned an endless supply of memes and parodies.
Swiss actor Bruno Ganz has died at the age of 77, according to his management.
Ganz passed away in his Zurich home on Friday evening.
The decorated actor was a prominent fixture in German-language cinema and theatre but did enjoy a crossover into English-language productions, working with the likes of Ridley Scott (The Counsellor) and Lars Von Trier (The House That Jack Built) as well as appearing in The Reader opposite Kate Winslet, and Liam Neeson action vehicle Unknown.
Ganz will mostly be remembered, however, for his portrayal of Adolf Hitler in 2004’s Downfall.
Downfall was a critical and commercial hit, with its lead performance making the biggest headlines.
Indeed, Ganz’ turn was so compelling that one ferocious scene in particular where he rants at length generated a huge amount of parodies and memes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3SsM1RYdI4
Clip via The Football Republic
The price you pay for inhabiting one of history’s greatest monsters so well, you suppose.
Despite shining in his most iconic role, Ganz told The Guardian in 2005 that he had considerable doubts about playing Hitler, and that he researched the part for four months.
“Having played him, I cannot claim to understand Hitler,” Ganz said.
“Even the witnesses who had been in the bunker with him were not really able to describe the essence of the man.
“He had no pity, no compassion, no understanding of what the victims of war suffered. Ultimately, I could not get to the heart of Hitler because there was none.”
Though the cause of his death has yet to be revealed, the BBC notes that the actor had reportedly been diagnosed with colon cancer.
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