Biography
Benno Sterzenbach (born March 3, 1916, in Osnabrück – died September 13, 1985, in Feldafing) was a German actor and director known for his work in both cinema and theatre.
His breakthrough stage role was Götz von Berlichingen, where he performed alongside Ellen Schwiers as Adelheid at the Jagsthausen Festival. On television, he gained recognition primarily for his performances in filmed theatrical adaptations, including Friedrich Dürrenmatt's Der Richter und sein Henker (1957), Albrecht Goes's Der Schlaf der Gerechten (1962), and Carlo Goldoni's Mirandolina (1963).
In 1941, Sterzenbach was arrested by the Gestapo on suspicion of espionage due to his editorial connections. He was imprisoned for a month, during which he maintained his innocence, and was eventually released after an expedited review of his case. This experience later influenced several of his theatrical works.
Sterzenbach made his film debut in 1948 with Paths in Twilight, directed by Gustav Fröhlich. In 1960, he appeared in one of the first post-war Edgar Wallace films, Der Rächer, as well as in Es ist soweit. In 1966, he starred alongside Heinz Reincke in Adrian der Tulpendieb, one of the earliest German color television series.
Following his 1962 role in Max the Pickpocket with Heinz Rühmann, he portrayed a doctor in the 1964 film Flug in Gefahr, which launched a series of plane crash-themed movies.
He achieved significant success portraying General Winston Woodrov Wamsler in Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion. Subsequently, he appeared in television series such as Die fünfte Kolonne, Derrick, and The Old Fox.
In France, Sterzenbach is best remembered for his role as Major Achbach in La Grande Vadrouille, alongside Louis de Funès and Bourvil.
In addition to acting, Benno Sterzenbach authored several books.
