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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.
as Compagnon Sommerwind
as Barabbas
as Self - Das Boot Actor
as Joseph Langner
as Blumenpeter
as Schore Siggi
as Hans Joachim (HaJo) Jendriczek
as Onkel Josef
as Butcher
as Barmann Zum Leuchtturm
as Langer
as Wirt
as Kalle Grabowski
as Tarzan
as Charly Wischollek
as Receptionist
as Jenninger
as Ron
as Herr Krupp
as Chief Police Officer
as Sexshop-Besitzer
as Grandpa St. John
as Horst
as Harald "Bullet Harry" Grabowski
as General
as Dr. Zwengelmann
as Peter Blessing
as Tankwart
as Ilia
as Hyde
as Tom
as Barkeeper
as Richie
as Mike
as Karl-Heinz 'Kalle' Grabowski
as Dario
as Zivilpolizist
as Krause
as Axel
as Karl Heinz Kaminski
as Bulle #1
as Haucke
as Mario
as Engel
as Reynolds
as Jan Becker
as Gangster
as Hoffmann
as Klaus Borgmann
as Polizist Wolle
as Hermann Pacholke
as Günter 'Bolle' Bolkowski
as SA-Führer
as Britz
as Sandrowski
as Richy
as Strotzki
as Otto
as Jaeger's Assistant
as Frenssen
