Horst Buchholz

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German actor

German actor Horst Buchholz, often referred to as the Teutonic James Dean and who starred alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in such films as “The Magnificent Seven” and “One, Two, Three,” died at Berlin’s Charite Hospital Monday March 3 of an unspecified illness. He was 69.

Buchholz worked continuously over the years, appearing onstage and frequently guest starring on German TV series as well as accepting parts in bigscreen productions.

In the past decade, thesp starred in Wim Wenders’ 1993 pic “Faraway, So Close!,” played a concentration camp doctor in Roberto Benigni’s “Life Is Beautiful” in 1997, voiced the emperor in the German-language version of Disney’s “Mulan” and starred in 2001’s “The Enemy” with Luke Perry, Olivia d’Abo and Roger Moore.

For many, he is best be remembered for his role as a dedicated young communist who falls in love with the daughter of Coca Cola topper C.R. MacNamara (James Cagney) in Billy Wilder’s 1961 Berlin comedy “One, Two, Three.”

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He also starred that year in Joshua Logan’s “Fanny” with Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and Charles Boyer.

An active member of Germany’s film and TV community, Buchholz was a regular at film festivals, premieres and award ceremonies.

Born in Berlin, Buchholz became one of the first young stars of post-war Germany after appearing in films such as “Die Halbstarken” (Teenage Wolfpack) in 1956 and “Confessions of Felix Krull” the following year. In 1959 he appeared in the Broadway production of “Cherie.”

Buchholz’s declining health was compounded after recently breaking his leg in a fall. Although he had been released from hospital in February, he never completely recovered from his injuries, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Bucholz is survived by his wife Myriam; daughter Beatrice; and son, the actor Christopher Buchholz.

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