Actor Horst Sachtleben died

As Bishop Rossbauer, Horst Sachtleben was an integral part of the ARD series “Um Himmels Willen”. His career has taken him from the theater stage in front of the camera to behind the microphone – as a voice for others. The actor has died at the age of 91.

For around 18 years he was Bishop Rossbauer in the ARD series “Um Himmels Willen” – Horst Sachtleben slipped into the church role in front of the camera in 197 episodes. The actor has now died at the age of 91. This was announced by his agency, citing Sachtleben’s wife Pia Hänggi.

From an early age, the native Berliner was drawn towards the stage and the audience. After graduating from high school, Sachtleben studied theater and also took acting lessons at the same time. From the 1950s to the early 1960s, Sachtleben acted at the Schauspielhaus Zürich, in Berlin, Bonn and at the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel in Munich. Sachtleben received the Bavarian State Prize in 1967 for his services to the stage.

Long the voice of Inspector Columbo

In 1962 television was added to the theatre. In addition to his role as Bishop Rossbauer, Sachtleben was also involved with guest appearances in other public productions. For example, he was seen in “Tatort” and in the series “Der Alte” and “Der Kommissar”.

The actor’s voice even went on to have an international career – as a dubbing actor, Sachtleben lent it to Peter Falk as investigating Inspector Columbo or to Jim Broadbent in the role of Professor Horace Slughorn in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”. Sachtleben also hid behind Niles, the butler in the sitcom “The Nanny”, as a dubbing voice.

Sachtleben retired professionally in 2020. The corona pandemic and the associated regulations as well as the fear of infection would have made this decision easier for him, Sachtleben said in an interview at the time – and he added:

“I’ve had a good life and I’m trying to make the most of and enjoy the time I have left.”

He enjoys being with his wife and spending time in his own garden. “I lack nothing,” said Sachtleben at the time. He was married to Pia Hänggi for 47 years. The couple lived together near Munich.