Mario Adorf is 95: Congratulations from Federal President Steinmeier

On September 8, Mario Adorf celebrates a special milestone: his 95th birthday. Congratulations come from the highest house: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (69) recognizes the actor on Friday in a personal statement as one of the defining personalities of German and international film and theater history.

“They have shaped German and international film and theater history for more than seven decades. Born in Zurich, grew up in the Eifel – and yet world citizens,” says the congratulation letter. Steinmeier emphasizes that Adorf is unforgettable not only in Germany, but also in the Italian cinema and in Hollywood: “Whether in the German author film, in the Italian cinema or in Hollywood: they were at home everywhere – without ever losing.”

The Federal President also commemorates the big names with which Adorf worked during his career: “They played alongside Sophia Loren, Charles Bronson or Jean -Paul Belmondo – and yet they were always unmistakably Mario Adorf: powerful, grounded and full of wisdom.” Steinmeier emphasizes the actor’s attitude, who has always represented clear values: “You have preserved attitude where others were quiet and have shown that size is not created in the spotlight, but in respect for art and life itself.”

In the end, the Federal President underlines what the last impression of Adorf has left with the audience: “You have amazed users and listeners, to laugh, to think – and sometimes also to cry. They showed us how strong, sensitive and human acting.”

Mario Adorf made a name for himself in the 1950s: first in the ensemble of the Munich chamber games and finally with his breakthrough role in “At night when the devil came” (1957). In the following decades he worked with directors such as Volker Schlöndorff, Rainer Werner Fassbinder or Margarethe von Trotta and developed into one of the most versatile character actors in Germany. The international cinema also discovered it – in Italy and France as well as in Hollywood. In a total of more than 200 film and television roles, Adorf hatched throughout his 60-year career.

From the side of the stage and canvas, Adorf led a rather withdrawn private life and has lived in southern France with his second wife Monique for several years. In addition to his acting career, he published several books, including autobiographical works, and repeatedly campaigned for social issues.

A few days before his birthday, Adorf recently looked back on his moving life. In an interview with “Hörzu”, the actor answered the question at the end of August how he felt at almost 95 years. He “would not have expected to grow so old,” said Adorf. At the same time, he was completely “in pure” and “did not have the feeling that there was still a lot to work up”. However, Adorf does not look forward to a return to the camera. “I am without any ambition in this direction – and without any hope,” he says. Nor was he sure “whether I can still do it physically”.

Adorf was unable to participate in the awarding of the German television award last autumn due to illness. He also surprises with thoughtful words to death. “The experience I had this year was very negative,” he says when asked whether he is still “not afraid of dying”. And further: “There was a point where I thought: ‘That is now.’ I would have liked to let go. “