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Günther Simon’s legacy as an actor, with his compelling performances and commitment to his craft, continues to resonate in the German film industry.
In today’s article, we take a look at his life as we find more about his works and cause of death as well as how it all happened.
Who Was Günther Simon?
Günther Simon born on 11 May 1925 was an East German actor who made a significant impact on the German film industry.
Simon, who was born into a family of bank clerks, developed an early interest in acting. While still in Gymnasium, he joined an acting school and polished his skills through private classes with Karl Meixner at Berlin’s Hebbel Theatre.
World War II cut short Simon’s early acting career. At the age of 16, he was taken to a Hitler Youth preparatory training camp and then drafted into the Reich Labour Service.
He volunteered to join the paratroopers in August 1943. His journey, however, took an unexpected turn when he was apprehended by American troops near Normandy. He was sent to a POW camp in Colorado, where he found refuge in the makeshift theatre.
His time in the POW camp only increased his passion for acting and fueled his resolve to work in the industry.
Simon resumed his acting career after returning home in 1947. In 1948, he made his stage debut in Dmitry Scheglov’s The Storm at Köthen’s Municipal Theatre.
He then joined the cast of the Dresden Theatre after leaving the Schwerin Theatre. In 1951, he made a brief appearance at the Leipzig Theatre before returning to the film industry.
Simon had his breakthrough in 1952 when he was hired as the lead in the film The Condemned Village. This was the start of his brilliant film career.
In Kurt Maetzig’s two-part propaganda epic about Ernst Thälmann’s life, he was cast as the communist leader Ernst Thälmann.
The films were enormously popular, with the first instalment being part of the East German school curriculum. Simon’s performance earned him the National Prize First Class and cemented his place in the film industry.
Simon appeared in around 30 films over his career. Numerous prizes and medals were bestowed upon him in recognition of his talent and dedication.
He won the Best Actor Award at the 1956 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for his role in Ernst Thälmann II. He was also awarded the National Prize for his exceptional work twice, in 1956 and 1968.
He also got the Free German Trade Union Federation’s Art Prize three times, in 1967, 1968, and 1971.
Simon was active in politics in addition to his acting profession. In 1954, he joined the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and was appointed to the DEFA Studio’s administration. He was zealous about using his power to advance the party’s ideals.
Simon was a devoted father to three sons and one daughter. His life was tragically cut short when he died on June 25, 1972, at the age of 47.
He is honoured for his contributions to East German movies and is buried at the Dorotheenstadt cemetery.
Günther Simon Cause Of Death
Günther Simon cause of death is unknown as there is no information about what led to his demise.
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