Biography:

Michael Gwisdek, born on January 14, 1942 in Berlin, was one of Germany’s most renowned contemporary actors and appeared in almost 150 cinema and television films. After studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in East Berlin from 1965 to 1968, he was engaged at the theater in Karl Marx Stadt (now Chemnitz). In 1973, he became a member of the ensemble at the Volksbühne in Berlin, where he later also worked at the Deutsches Theater from 1983 to 1991.

Gwisdek worked as a freelance filmmaker while continuing his acting career. His first film appearance was in a supporting role as a cowboy in the East German Western Spur des Falken. He was one of few East German actors to have the privilege of working with West German directors, such as Bernhard Wicki and Hark Bohm, in the 1970s and 1980s. Treffen in Travers, his directorial debut, was shown at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and earned him an immediate international reputation.

Michael Gwisdek’s performances were honored with important prizes, including: the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 1999 Berlin International Film Festival for Nachtgestalten (Dir. Andreas Dresen); the German Film Award in Gold in 1991 for Der Tangospieler (Dir. Roland Gräf); and Best Actor at the 1984 Chicago International Film Festival for Der Fall Bachmeier–Keine Zeit für Tränen (Dir. Hark Bohm). Most recently, Gwisdek played the lead in Florian Cossen’s outstanding debut film, Das Lied in mir, which won international awards and was short-listed for the German 2012 Oscar contribution.

Gwisdek died on September 22, 2020.

Festivals & Awards: