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Pierre-Louis Le Bris (Pierre Brice) was born on February 6, 1929, in Brest, Brittany, France. He passed away on June 6, 2015. Pierre Brice was a celebrated French actor known for his iconic portrayal of the fictional Apache chief Winnetou in a series of German films based on the novels of Karl May.
Early Life
Pierre Brice’s path to fame started with a distinctive mashup of encounters. He joined the French Army at the age of 19, and eventually found himself fighting in the First Indochina War. Incredibly, he was almost completely unhurt when he was launched through the air on a patrol in Indochina due to a mine explosion. He served as a paratrooper in the Algerian War after being a member of the French Navy’s Commandos Marine special operations outfit.
Pierre Brice Career
In a total of eleven West German Western films from 1962 to 1968, Pierre Brice created history as Winnetou, the illustrious Apache leader. Brice became a major international star as a result of these movies, which were based on the writings of German novelist Karl May. Alongside co-stars including Lex Barker, Stewart Granger, and Rod Cameron, he played Winnetou in the hit television series, which enthralled viewers and solidified his legend.
But Brice’s relationship with Winnetou went beyond the screen. At the Karl May Festspiele in Elspe from 1977 to 1980 and 1982 to 1986, as well as at the Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg open-air theatre from 1988 to 1991, he also brought the role to life on stage. Additionally, he directed several outdoor theater events in Bad Segeberg up to 1999. These gatherings and performances honored Karl May’s timeless tales.
In particular, in Germany, Pierre Brice’s portrayal of Winnetou cemented his standing as a cultural figure and created an enduring impression on the film industry.
Although Winnetou was unquestionably his most well-known role, Pierre Brice also dabbled in other aspects of the entertainment business. He appeared in television programs including “Ein Schloß am Wörthersee” and “Die Hütte am See” (Lakeview Cottage). He played Winnetou again in the 1979 television series “Mein Freund Winnetou” (My Friend Winnetou), which wasn’t based on Karl May’s writing. Fans, though, weren’t always in favor of attempts to bring the figure back.
Brice made cameos in several movies to escape Winnetou’s shadow. He played Zorro in the 1963 Italian production “Zorro contro Maciste” and appeared in several movies alongside Terence Hill and Lex Barker. His flexibility as an actor was demonstrated by these many roles.
What was Pierre Brice’s Cause of Death?
Pierre Brice passed away on June 6, 2015. The renowned performer, who was most known for his portrayal of Winnetou, died from pneumonia-related complications.
