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Horst Tappert remains etched in the annals of German television and film history as the indomitable Inspector Stephan Derrick. His career, spanning decades, was marked by remarkable performances and unparalleled popularity, but it also bore the weight of a complex personal history. Horst died on the 13th of December 2008 at the age of 85 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
Who was Horst Tappert?
Horst Tappert was born on May 26, 1923, in Elberfeld (now Wuppertal), Germany. Horst Tappert’s journey into the world of entertainment began after a turbulent period in his life. At the age of 17, he was drafted into the German Army during World War II. Later, at 19, he was reluctantly transferred from the Army to the Waffen-SS, a move he reportedly opposed. It’s worth noting that the creator of the iconic Derrick series, Herbert Reinecker, had also served in the Waffen-SS
Initially, Tappert served in a reserve antiaircraft unit in Arolsen but was eventually listed as a grenadier with the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf in March 1943. His wartime experiences included a brief period as a prisoner of war in Seehausen, Altmark, in 1945.
Following the end of World War II, Horst Tappert embarked on a different path. He secured employment as a bookkeeper at a theater in Stendal, Germany, which sparked his interest in acting. Determined to pursue this newfound passion, he enrolled in acting classes and made his stage debut in Stendal, portraying Dr. Stribel in Paul Helwig’s “Die Flitterwochen.”
Over the years, he changed employers multiple times, eventually landing a role at the Kammerspiele in Munich in 1956. In 1967, Tappert became an independent actor and continued to work in the field until his passing.
The late 1950s marked Horst Tappert’s entry into film and television productions. His breakthrough came in 1966 when he played the role of train robber Michael Donegan in the three-part television series “Die Gentlemen bitten zur Kasse.” He then took a turn playing Scotland Yard detective Perkins in Edgar Wallace movies in 1968.
However, it was in 1973 that Tappert assumed the iconic role of detective Stephan Derrick in the German television series “Derrick.” Paired with his loyal assistant Harry Klein, played by Fritz Wepper, Tappert’s portrayal of Derrick became legendary. The series became a worldwide sensation, licensed in 104 countries, and enjoyed widespread popularity, even reaching audiences in China, Japan, and Italy, and gaining the admiration of Pope John Paul II. The show concluded in 1998, as Tappert had reached his self-imposed age limit of 75 for television acting.
Horst Tappert’s Personal Life and Controversy
Horst Tappert’s personal life was marked by multiple marriages and a passion for outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting. He and his third wife, Ursula Pistor, shared a life in Gräfelfing near Munich.
In a surprising twist, in 2013, it was revealed that Tappert had served in the 3. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Totenkopf, deployed on the Eastern Front during World War II. Historians expressed uncertainty about the circumstances of his SS membership and whether he had been coerced into joining.
The revelation led to repercussions for Tappert’s legacy. German broadcaster ZDF ceased all reruns of “Derrick,” and there were discussions about rescinding his honorary chief police inspector title, awarded in 1980, by Bavaria’s interior ministry.
What was Horst Tappert’s Cause of Death?
Horst died on the 13th of December 2008 at the age of 85 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. However, Horst’s cause of death is diabetes.
References
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-derrick-tappert-idUSTRE4BE4WZ20081215
