Wilhelm von Homburg aka Norbert Grupe was born on August 25, 1940, and he was a German boxer, actor, and professional wrestler.
He was known for his villainous supporting roles in various high-profile films of the 1980s and 1990s, including Vigo the Carpathian in Ghostbusters II, the henchman James in Die Hard, and Souteneur in Werner Herzog’s Stroszek.
He was born in Berlin and his father was Richard Grupe (1915 – August 5, 1988). He was a baker in Nazi Germany but later, he became a championship-winning boxer and a local policeman working with the Buchenwald concentration camp.
Norbert Grupe’s father had a first wife who gave to Winfried, and his second wife, Ursula also gave birth to Rona. As such, Norbert Grupe had Winfried and Rona as his siblings.
Norbert Grupe was a professional boxer between 1946 and 1952 and he recorded 26 wins (20 by knockout), 8 losses, and 6 draws. He also toured Europe as a wrestler.
Over the years, Norbert Grupe featured in some films and television shows. Some of the films are Morituri, The Latst of the Sevret Agents, Tom Curtain, Hotel Clausewitz, The Devil’s Brigade, The Hell with Heroes and The Wrecking Crew.
Others are Gentlemen in White Vests, The Swiss Conspiracy, Stroszek , Die Hard, The Package, Ghostbusters II as well as Midnight Cabaret.
Norbert Grupe Cause of Death
Norbert Grupe is believed to have died after developing prostate cancer, it generated into metastasis to his pelvis, spine, and brain. His final days were with his friend, Walter Staudinger. Even before his death, Norbert Grupe was homeless.
Norbert Grupe Acting Career
Norbert Grupe spent some years in prison but after his release, he decided to take up acting. He was made to play the role of a bullying pimp in a film by German director Werner Herzog.
Werner Herzog had seen him box in his youthful days and thought he would be able to play the role well.
He also played a role in the 1988 action thriller Die Hard as well as in the 1989 comedy sequel Ghostbusters II in which he played the role of Vigo the Carpathian, a despotic sorcerer whose soul is released from a medieval painting.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_von_Homburg
