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With an extensive filmography that showcased his versatility as an actor, Peter Borgelt left a lasting impact on the German entertainment industry.
He will always be remembered for his remarkable contributions to film and theatre.
Who is Peter Borgelt?
Peter Borgelt, born September 20, 1927, was a highly respected German film and theatre actor in Rostock.
Borgelt, known for his sonorous voice and calm demeanour, had a tremendous impact on the German Democratic Republic (GDR) entertainment sector.
Borgelt was born into an artistic family; his father, Paul Borgelt, was an actor, and his mother, Thea Krumreich, was a singer. Borgelt developed a fascination for the performing arts as a result of growing up in an artistic atmosphere. Following the end of WWII, he originally worked as a construction worker before discovering his true passion.
Borgelt’s path to acting began with an apprenticeship as a construction worker, but he soon changed his mind to become a composer. He studied at the Kamenz Conservatory and worked as a temporary assistant at the Burgstädt district theatre.
During this period, he acquired a passion for acting and began taking individual classes. In 1950, after finishing his tests, he was recruited alongside his father at the Burgstädter Theatre.
Borgelt worked on stage at Meiningen, Halberstadt, Magdeburg, Leipzig, and Schwerin over the years. In 1967, his talent and perseverance brought him to the famed Deutsches Theatre Berlin, where he joined the ensemble.
He worked at the theatre until his death in 1994, leaving an excellent corpus of work behind. Borgelt not only succeeded on stage, but he also earned a name for himself on television.
On the GDR music programme “Klock 8, aftern Strom,” where he hosted the maritime Saturday evening show, he made his first television appearance.
He also portrayed the beloved sailor Kuddeldaddelich. Borgelt’s most notable television role was that of criminalist Peter Fuchs in the GDR crime series “Police Call 110.”
From 1971 to 1991, he played the character in 89 episodes, and the series became popular outside of the GDR. Borgelt’s measured and calm demeanour, combined with his unusual voice, established him as a household name.
He was often linked to French actor Jean Gabin and dubbed “East German Maigret.”
Borgelt was a UNICEF ambassador in the GDR from 1985 to 1989, in addition to his acting career. He used his platform to advocate for children’s rights and well-being.
Peter Borgelt died on March 18, 1994, at the age of 66, following a battle with cancer. He was laid to rest in Berlin-Karlshorst/Friedrichsfelde Evangelical Cemetery.
Borgelt had three marriages and three children: two sons and a daughter. Hans Borgelt, his cousin, was also a journalist and novelist in the entertainment world.
Peter Borgelt’s Cause Of Death
Peter Borgelt’s cause of death is reported to have been cancer, which he battled with, leading to his demise.
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