Acting
Aug 16, 1957
Essen, Germany
Ralf Richter
Acting
Biography
Ralf Richter (August 17, 1957 - September 15, 2026) was a German film, television, and stage actor. Born in Essen, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Bochum. After completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, he studied acting at the Westphalian Drama School in Bochum and began his career on stage. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Chief Petty Officer Frenssen in Wolfgang Petersen’s acclaimed war film Das Boot (1981). The role established him as one of Germany’s most recognizable character actors, particularly known for portraying tough, outspoken, and often eccentric figures. His notable film credits include Die Katze (1988), Manta - Der Film (1991), Superstau (1991), and Fußball ist unser Leben (2000). He achieved cult status with his portrayal of the hot-tempered criminal Kalle Grabowski in Peter Thorwarth’s crime comedy Bang Boom Bang (1999). Richter continued his collaboration with Thorwarth in Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht (2002) and Goldene Zeiten (2006). Together, these three films became known as the Unna Trilogy. His later film appearances included Vorstadtkrokodile (2009), Nicht mein Tag (2014), Radio Heimat (2016), Enfant Terrible (2020), and Bad Director (2023). In addition to his film career, he appeared in numerous German television series, including Tatort, Der Fahnder, Alarm für Cobra 11, Ein Fall für zwei, and Heldt. Richter was particularly associated with the Ruhr region and became known for his distinctive voice, direct manner, and memorable portrayals of working-class characters and small-time criminals. He died in Cologne in September 2026 at the age of 69.
Feature Films (77)
Bank robber Kalle Grabowski escapes from prison while his unemployed smalltime crook buddy is sitting around doing nothing after he just lost all their money. A fast paced comedy from German director Peter Thorwarth.
Bang, Boom, Bang
A German submarine hunts allied ships during the Second World War, but it soon becomes the hunted. The crew tries to survive below the surface, while stretching both the boat and themselves to their limits.
Das Boot
For Hans Pollack and his friends, soccer is the most wonderful hobby in the world. They all worship the world-class forward Pablo Dios. Their adoration goes so far that it makes them forget the birth of a daughter, gamble away a house, "accidentally" kidnap the rich and arrogant football star, and tear apart the family. However, Pablo and Hans gradually develop an unlikely friendship...
Football Rules Ok
Life is tough on car fanatic Fred. As soon as he has convinced the beautiful hairdresser Tina, he wins an Opel Manta in a raffle and is rid of the lady immediately. From now on, Tina prefers to turn to the photographer Phil. He has what Fred always wanted: a Golf GTI. To make matters worse, he now has to listen to the mocking remarks of his fellow men at every traffic light. But Fred doesn't give up. He finally finds support in the Manta Club. In a big race he finally wants to put his rival GTI-Phil in his place.
Manta - Der Film
Every year, many Germans are preparing to spend their vacations in the sunny south. And they all have to use the same highways. And every year everything ends in a big traffic jam.
Superstau
Television & Series (102)
Faced with staff shortages, the chief of a Cologne police department convinces two retired homicide detectives to come back into the force. As their immediate superior is a young woman, a generational cultural clash is inevitable.
Rentnercops
Polizeiruf 110 is a long-running German language detective television series. The first episode was broadcast 27 June 1971 in the German Democratic Republic, and after the dissolution of Fernsehen der DDR the series was picked up by ARD. It was originally created as a counterpart to the West German series Tatort, and quickly became a public favorite.
Polizeiruf 110
After his handler is killed, police dog Rex teams up with recently-divorced inspector Richard Moser to investigate crimes and solve mysteries on the streets of Vienna. And they sometimes get help from their two-legged friend, Inspector Stockinger.
Inspector Rex
Luna Kunath (Caroline Erikson) and Tamara Meurer (Anjua Pahl) work together in the Potsdam murder commission. Luna is single, strong, assertive, funny, empathic, sporty and fast in the head. It is an excellent policewoman whose carefree always accompanies with a little naivety and brings you again and again in brenzy situations. Tamara, however, has more mature, adult. The two of the boss Bernhard Henschel (Michael Lott) and the colleagues David Grünbaum (Omar El-Saeidi), Christoph Westermann (Hendrik von Bültzingslöwen), lail-sure Thomas Brandner (Yung No) and legal physician Werner Vense (Bernd Stegemann). Potsdam, Berlin's pretty little sister, confronts the commissars again and again with a wide variety of life effects. However, the team not only determines in Potsdam, but must always be out of the surrounding area. Because the crime does not stop at the city limit.
