Ralf Richter

Known for ActingBorn 1957-08-17Died 2026-09-15Essen, Germany

Ralf Richter (August 17, 1957 - September 15, 2026) was a German film, television, and stage actor. Born in Essen, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Bochum. After completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, he studied acting at the Westphalian Drama School in Bochum and began his career on stage. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Chief Petty Officer Frenssen in Wolfgang Petersen’s acclaimed war film Das Boot (1981). The role established him as one of Germany’s most recognizable character actors, particularly known for portraying tough, outspoken, and often eccentric figures. His notable film credits include Die Katze (1988), Manta - Der Film (1991), Superstau (1991), and Fußball ist unser Leben (2000). He achieved cult status with his portrayal of the hot-tempered criminal Kalle Grabowski in Peter Thorwarth’s crime comedy Bang Boom Bang (1999). Richter continued his collaboration with Thorwarth in Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht (2002) and Goldene Zeiten (2006). Together, these three films became known as the Unna Trilogy. His later film appearances included Vorstadtkrokodile (2009), Nicht mein Tag (2014), Radio Heimat (2016), Enfant Terrible (2020), and Bad Director (2023). In addition to his film career, he appeared in numerous German television series, including Tatort, Der Fahnder, Alarm für Cobra 11, Ein Fall für zwei, and Heldt. Richter was particularly associated with the Ruhr region and became known for his distinctive voice, direct manner, and memorable portrayals of working-class characters and small-time criminals. He died in Cologne in September 2026 at the age of 69.Read more

Movies & web series

The Cry of the Butterfly

Liebe mich bis in den Tod

Ein Bär für alle Fälle

Wildbach

Glückliche Reise

auto mobil - Das VOX-Automagazin

Lutter

Ladies and Gentleman

Eine Hochzeit und (K)ein Todesfall

Marmor, Stein & Eisen

Cosimas Lexikon

Rote Erde

Dobrodružství kriminalistiky

Mafia, Pizza, Razzia

Das Boot

Nichtlustig - die Serie!

Urmel aus dem Eis

Sträters Männerhaushalt

Die Ulla Kock am Brink Show

Der schwarze Fluch

Fliege

Die Kommissarin

Alles außer Mord

Das Boot

Café Meineid

The Crack Connection

Inas Nacht

Rosowski

Tour de Ruhr

Die ProSieben Märchenstunde

Das Boot Revisited: An Underwater Success Story

Pastewka

Die Hausmeisterin

Bang, Boom, Bang

If It Don't Fit, Use a Bigger Hammer

Eine fast perfekte Liebe

Die Harald Schmidt Show

The Crocodiles

Inspector Rex

Im Namen des Gesetzes

Der Fahnder

Freunde fürs Leben

Seven Minutes

Fresh

Dirty Sky

Mädchen Nr. 1

Planet Alex

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