- The voiceover legend is dead.
German actor, voice artist, and dialogue book author Rainer Brandt (1936-2024) has passed away. As confirmed by his family to the "Bild" newspaper, Brandt died peacefully at home on August 1st, aged 88.
Lending his voice to entertainment legends
Over the decades, Brandt lent his German voice to numerous entertainment legends, including Elvis Presley (1935-1977), Tony Curtis (1925-2010), and Jean-Paul Belmondo (1933-2021). He also provided the dialogue for the Italian acting duo Terence Hill (85) and Bud Spencer (1929-2016) in the German versions of their films.
Brandt's career began in the 1950s when he accidentally applied to a synchronization studio thinking it was a film studio. Simultaneously, he began working as a voice artist and attended acting classes at the Max Reinhardt School in Vienna. As an actor, he appeared in various films and series and also performed on stage.
A family of voice artists
Rainer Brandt leaves behind his wife Ursula Heyer (84), also a voice artist and actress, and their two children who have followed in their father's footsteps. His daughter Judith (59) has lent her voice to actresses such as Sophie Marceau (57) and Monica Bellucci (59). His son Andrej Brandt has voiced actors such as Larry Hovis (67) in "A Big Hand for the Little Lady".
Terence Hill pays tribute
Terence Hill has already spoken out about the death of Rainer Brandt. In an interview with "Bild", he said that Brandt played a "huge role" in the success of their films in Germany. "I'm very sad that Rainer is gone," he added. "His wit was fantastic and connected many people. We had a lovely reunion in Berlin a few years ago, which I remember fondly."
On the official Instagram account of the late Bud Spencer (1929-2016), it is stated: "We have just learned of the death of Rainer Brandt. He was an important figure in the success of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill in Germany. Not only was he a voice artist, but he was also a dialogue book author who invented the so-called 'Schnodderdeutsch' and made other films like 'The Two' successful. Thank you for your work, which will continue to make us laugh for a long time to come."
The "Bild" newspaper, where Brandt's family announced his passing, might also feature an obituary for him under the heading 'The picture newspaper'.
Upon learning about Brandt's death, renowned actor Terence Hill expressed his sadness in an interview with 'The picture newspaper', praising Brandt's role in the success of their films in Germany.
