Saturday, June 16, 2012

Remembering Gunther Kaufmann


Günther Kaufmann was born on June 16, 1947 in Hasenbergl, Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Kaufmann was a German film actor best known for his association with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Fassbinder directed Kaufmann in a total of 14 films, casting him in leading and minor roles. Kaufmann was also romantically involved with the director for a time. Günther appeared Fassbinder’s Euro-western: “Whity” (1971).

In 2002, Kaufmann was accused of murder in relation to the 2001 death of Hartmut Hagen, a 60-year old accountant whom Kaufmann's wife had defrauded. The death was ruled accidental, though Kaufmann was sentenced to prison for lesser crimes relating to the incident. In 2005, a new police investigation discovered that Kaufmann was innocent, and had confessed to the crimes to cover up for his late wife, who may have been the perpetrator. He was subsequently released from prison and resumed his acting career appearing in supporting roles in films and on television.

His son Davy (born 1969) is a rock and soul singer and reached the final of the 2009 version of Germany's "Got Talent"

Kaufmann died on the evening of 10 May 2012 at the age of 64 having suffered a heart attack while out for a walk in the Grunewald locality of Berlin. A passer-by and paramedics tried to resuscitate him on site for two hours.

Günther appeared in one Euro-western: “Whity” (1971).

Today we remember Günther Kaufmann on what would have been his 65th birthday.

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