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Bessen’s contributions to the German entertainment industry extended beyond his acting career. He was the uncle of actors Henry Vahl and Bruno Vahl-Berg, known for their roles in theatre and film.
Through his talent and dedication, Edgar Bessen left a lasting impact on the German theatre and film industry, earning him a place in the hearts of many.
Edgar Bessen’s Biography
Edgar Bessen was a renowned German actor, born on November 11, 1933, in Hamburg.
He was born with the name “Behsen,” but the registry office altered it for him. Before enrolling in the Hildburg Frese acting programme in Hamburg, Bessen started his work as a dishwashing instructor.
Bessen received a commitment to the Hamburg Ohnsorg Theatre in 1960, and the theatre served as his artistic home base until 1979.
His various roles as Heidi Mahler’s companion as well as his appearances in guest performances and television recordings from the theatre and the NDR helped him become well-known.
At the Ohnsorg Theatre, Bessen immediately won over the audience by showcasing his humorous skills in a variety of plays.
Bessen appeared in a number of well-known plays, such as “Opa wird verkauft” (1961), which starred Henry Vahl, Heinz Lanker, and Karl-Heinz Kreienbaum, “Tratsch im Treppenhaus” (1962), and “Father Philipp” (1963), which featured Henry Vahl, Heidi Kabel, and Gisela Wessel.
Along with Heidi Kabel, Otto Lüthje, and Heidi Mahler, he appeared in the plays “No Getting Along with Income” (1966), “The Cart Reader” (1968), and “My Husband, He Goes to Sea” (1971).
Christa Wehling, Herma Koehn, Werner Riepel, and Ernst Grabbe also appeared in the play “My Husband, He Goes to Sea” (1971).
Beyond the Ohnsorg Theatre, Bessen had a successful career. He performed in Berlin’s Ernst Deutsch Theatre, Hamburger Kammerspiele, Landsböhn Schleswig, Düütsch Schauspeelhuus, Theatre im Zimmer, Frankfort Theatre am Turm, and Theatre am Kurfürstendamm from 1979 to 1983 as a freelance actor.
Additionally, he made guest appearances in a number of TV shows, such as “Dem Täter auf der Spur,” “Tatort,” “St. Pauli Landungsbrücken,” and “Achtung Zoll.”
Throughout his career, Bessen portrayed a variety of roles, displaying his adaptability and acting talent.
In addition to Brabantino in Shakespeare’s “Othello,” he also played Manes in Hölderlin’s “Empedocles,” the Feldhauptmann in Brecht’s “Mother Courage and Her Children,” and Pastor Kimball in “Threepenny Opera.”
He celebrated 40 years in the business in the year 2000.
Bessen performed on stage and in front of the camera, but he also worked on radio and delivered lectures. His performance as “Commissar Glockner” in the radio play TKKG made him famous.
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg presented him with the Biermann-Ratjen medal on his 70th birthday in 2003. Bessen joined the Hamburger Volksbühne as an honorary member in April 2005.
Edgar Bessen’s Cause Of Death
Edgar Bessen’s cause of death is unknown as there is little information about what led to his demise.
