Thomas Fritsch

Thomas Fritsch was a German film, television and dubbing actor and schlager singer. He was regarded as the "Sonnyboy" in the German cinema of the 1960s, and became one of the best-known actors by his presence in television series. Later, he was the German voice of Russell Crowe, of Scar in The Lion King, and of Diego in Ice Age.

Life

Fritsch was born in Dresden, the son of famous actor Willy Fritsch and dancer Dinah Grace. The family moved to Hamburg after World War II. Director and actor Gustaf Gründgens encouraged the 16-year-old Thomas to become an actor. He trained at an acting school in Hamburg-Pöseldorf for three years.
He played his first film role in the 1962 Austrian movie Julia, Du bist zauberhaft at age 17, alongside Lilli Palmer. He starred opposite Daliah Lavi in ', and became a favourite of teenagers. He was frequently featured on the cover of the youth magazine Bravo. He played in ' in 1963, alongside Hildegard Knef. In 1964, he appeared in his only film together with his father, Das hab ich von Papa gelernt. He appeared two more times with his father, in the ZDF television specials Das gibts doch zweimal in 1965 and Andere Zeiten, andere Sitten. Die Thomas-Fritsch-Show in 1967. He had film roles in Drei Männer in Santa Cruz, Onkel Toms Hütte, and played one of the three men in the title of Drei Männer im Schnee, among many others.
In the 1970s, Fritsch appeared in the television series Der Kommissar and Derrick several times. From 1977, Fritsch appeared in a leading role in the popular series by Barbara Noack, portraying a man in a love triangle story. It made him one of Germany's most popular actors. He also starred in the television series Rivalen der Rennbahn. In 2004, he made a return to cinema when he appeared as the villainous Earl of Cockwood in Der Wixxer, a comedy which spoofed the German Edgar Wallace films of the 1960s.
Fritsch became known as a voice actor. He was the German voice of Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Proof of Life. He dubbed Scar in the German version of The Lion King in 1994; Diego, a Smilodon, in Ice Age and sequels, beginning in 2002; and Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and sequels. In the 2000s, he replaced the late Joachim Kemmer as Lumiere for the "Human Again" DVD feature of Beauty and the Beast. His last role was the narrator in the 2018 children's film Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer, an adaption of Michael Ende's Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver.

Private life and death

Fritsch divided his time between his home in Munich and his home on the Greek island of Mykonos. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1990. In 2006, Fritsch revealed he was bisexual. In 2019, it was announced that Fritsch was diagnosed with dementia and was living in an assisted living facility.
Fritsch died on 21 April 2021 in Berlin, aged 77. He was given a burial at sea near the island of Sylt.

Films

Actor

Fritsch played in films and television series, including:Adorable Julia, as Roger, Julia's son', as Jean de Wehrt

', as High school student', as Rick HoferDrei Männer in Santa Cruz, as CarlosDas hab ich von Papa gelernt, as Andreas AndermannLegend of a Gunfighter, as Chris Harper
', as Pierre de SauterneOnkel Toms Hütte, as George Shelby', as PhilippDas gibt's nur zweimal Apollo Goes on Holiday
Der Kommissar
* Der Papierblumenmörder –
* Mord nach der Uhr – Drei Männer im Schnee
'
Derrick :
* '
* Abendfrieden
* Ein Todesengel
* Der Charme der Bahamas
* Anruf in der Nacht
* Tossners Ende
Rivalen der Rennbahn
' Rosamunde Pilcher: Federn im Wind Der Wixxer Das total verrückte Wunderauto
Die ProSieben Märchenstunde Meine wunderbare Familie
''''

Voice

Fritsch voiced the following productions, among others:The Good, the Bad and the Ugly- Tuco Apocalypse Now The Three Musketeers The Nanny – Maxwell SheffieldThe Lion King – ScarGargoyles – GoliathFelidae The Pebble and the Penguin Die Hard with a Vengeance – Simon GruberBalto – SteeleMega Man White Squall Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver – LukeTitanic Doctor Dolittle Lost in Space The Lion King II: Simba's Pride – ScarDas Dschungelbuch, Mowglis Abenteuer Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie - Slyly the foxGladiator – MaximusHelp! I'm a Fish – Joe, the pilotfishThomas and the Magic Railroad – Mr. Conductor Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone – Garrick OllivanderIce Age – DiegoTreasure Planet – Dr. Delbert DopplerThe Cat Returns Raining Cats and Frogs Finding Nemo – NigelSouth Park - Russell Crowe and Steven SpielbergMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Steamboy Kingdom of Heaven Corpse Bride – BonejanglesCinderella Man The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – AslanBattlestar Galactica Ice Age: The Meltdown – DiegoCopying Beethoven Eragon Herr Figo und das Geheimnis der Perlenfabrik Surf's Up - Big Z3:10 to Yuma (2007 film) - Ben WadeAstérix at the Olympic Games Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic – Lord VetinariSnow Buddies Kung Fu Panda – Tai LungThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian The Dark Knight Sacred 2 The Incredible Hulk Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – DiegoRisen Diablo 3 Ice Age: Continental Drift - DiegoIce Age: Collision Course - Diego

Awards

1963: Bambi Award,, as the best newcomer for Black-White-Red Four Poster
2002: for ''Second Chance – Alles wird gut''