Reported from the source

Quick summary: Walter Schultheiß, a beloved German actor known for his extensive work in dialect roles, including his memorable portrayal as Rominger in ‘Tatort,’ has passed away peacefully at the age of 101. His son, Götz Schultheiß, confirmed to SWR that his father died on December 22nd in Wildberg, surrounded by his family.

Walter Schultheiß, a prominent figure in German theater, radio, and television, died at 101 years old. Born in Tübingen in May 1924, Schultheiß was fascinated by theater from a young age, building his own shadow puppet stage at twelve. After World War II, he embarked on his acting career, performing in Tübingen and Stuttgart. During his training in Stuttgart, he met his future wife, Trudel Wulle, at the Stuttgart Volkstheater, where he also secured his first engagement. The couple married in 1950 and collaborated on numerous Swabian dialect radio plays. Schultheiß quickly became a radio legend, particularly through his dialect radio plays for the former SDR (Süddeutscher Rundfunk). A career highlight came in the 1960s with the ‘Karle und Gottlob’ street sweeper sketches, performed live every Saturday with partner Werner Veith, which became a piece of Swabian cultural history. His talent soon extended to television, where he appeared in various productions, including ARD’s ‘Tatort’ and popular series like ‘Oh Gott, Herr Pfarrer.’ He was celebrated for his ability to portray the subtly humorous Swabian character with a twinkle in his eye. From the early 1980s, screenwriter Felix Huby penned numerous unforgettable roles for Schultheiß, such as in ‘Köberle kommt’ and ‘Der König von Bärenbach.’ Huby described Schultheiß as a ‘star of the quiet kind,’ praising his diligence and grounded nature. At 89, Schultheiß took on his first lead role in a feature film, playing a 90-year-old company patriarch in the 2013 tragicomedy ‘Global Player – Wo wir sind isch vorne.’ He continued acting until he was 93, often alongside his wife Trudel Wulle, as seen in the comedy ‘Laible und Frisch – Do ghot dr Doig.’ Beyond acting, Schultheiß was a creative spirit with a passion for poetry and painting. After the death of his wife Trudel Wulle in late 2021, he gradually withdrew from public life. He lived in Wildberg (Calw district) with his son Götz, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters until his passing. His unique personality and extensive body of work leave a lasting legacy and serve as an inspiration for aspiring Swabian actors.

Source: www.tagesschau.de