Renowned performer - Ruth Maria Kubitschek passed away.
Actress Ruth Maria Kubitschek, known as the "Grande Dame of German film and television," has passed away at age 92 in Switzerland. According to a spokesperson from the German Press Agency, she said goodbye to life after a brief, severe illness.
For years, Kubitschek was a major presence on German television. She was a regular on the popular show "Traumschiff" on ZDF, played in "Tatort" on ARD, and appeared in the series "Das Erbe der Guldenburgs" on the Second Channel. With co-star Helmut Fischer, she achieved cult status as Annette von Soettingen, nicknamed "Spatzl," in the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation's TV series "Monaco Franze - Der ewige Stenz."
Born in 1931 in Komotau (now part of the Czech Republic) near the Ore Mountains, Kubitschek's family relocated to Saxony-Anhalt at the end of World War II. She graduated from drama schools in Halle and Weimar and made her debut as Fina in Brecht's "Herr Puntila and his Servant Matti" in Halle. Within a few years, she became a star of East German television and DEFAs. In 1959, she and her son moved to the West, while her husband, opera and theater director Götz Friedrich, remained in the GDR but was also allowed to direct in the West.
The start of Kubitschek's West German career was at the Schlosstheater in Celle. Soon she was appearing in various television productions, such as "Lysistrata" (1961), "Die Powenzbande" (1973), and the title role in "Melissa" (1966). In 1985, she starred in the successful series "Kir Royal," where the Munich Schickeria was criticized. Her last role was in the 2013 cinema film "Frau Ella."
Since 2013, she held Swiss citizenship and lived in Ascona. Her spokesperson, Yvonne von Stempel, informed the dpa of her death, revealing her last words were "The earth gave me a beautiful home on this world. In deep gratitude, I will now move on to the other world. You can believe me." The funeral will be a private affair with close family members.
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- People in the German film industry and beyond mourned the loss of renowned performer Ruth Maria Kubitschek.
- Wolfgang Rademann, a director who worked frequently with Kubitschek, shared his condolences, praising her talent and professionalism.
- Despite her illustrious career, the news of Kubitschek's passing brought sadness to many, including her co-star Helmut Fischer from the TV series "Monaco Franze."
- German newspapers and television stations, such as the German Press Agency and ARD, covered her death extensively, highlighting her significant contributions to German entertainment.
- Friends and colleagues in Hamburg, where she spent many years of her career, remembered her fondly, describing her as a kind and humble woman even with her star status.
- The "Dreamboat" actor, Uwe Ochsenknecht, also expressed his sadness, acknowledging her influence as a mentor and friend in the German film industry.
- In Switzerland, where she resided and held citizenship, Kubitschek was also celebrated for her role in promoting cultural exchange between Germany and Switzerland, particularly in the field of theater.
- Regarding her legacy, some in Switzerland and Germany suggested a potential movie or TV series to commemorate Kubitschek's life and career, with her many fans eager to watch and remember the "Grande Dame of German film and television."
