Who Are Those Singers & Musicians ~ Dirch Passer

 

One of the most prominent figures in Danish comedy history is Dirch Passer, a man born in Copenhagen on May 18, 1926, in a family who loved sailing. Dirch developed persistent problems with seasickness and could not accomplish his father’s dream of becoming a sailor or joining the Danish Navy. 

Passer was always tempted by acting since childhood. After dropping out of a sea training school, Dirch Passer joined the “revue” (a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches) scene of the country, and rapidly formed a duo with his colleague and friend Kjeld Petersen [1920-1962]. The pair developed a series of sketches where a contrast between their personalities became a trademark and favorite for the Danish people. Petersen’s mixture of joviality and desperate anger and Passer’s deadpan responses are still considered classics of Danish comedy.

In 1962, after more than ten years as an established act, Kjeld Petersen died and Dirch left the revue scene for some time. Those years, since Passer’s days of fame and his dealing with his friend’s demise, are portrayed in the film” A Funny Man”, in which actor Nikolaj Lie Kaas performs an award-winning incarnation of the comedian.

Upon his return to the stage, Dirch wanted also to be considered a dramatic actor, and to go beyond comedy in more serious roles. However, his image as a comedian was so solid that when he attempted it, the moment he showed himself on stage, the audience broke in laughter. Such a reaction saddened Passer greatly, and because of that, he only attempted a dramatic role once.

Passer’s cult status has been elevated by the manner of his passing. He died on September 3, 1980, at the Copenhagen Municipal Hospital of cardiac arrest after collapsing on stage immediately before a show. He was pronounced dead after about two hours of resuscitation attempts.

Dirch Passer’s legacy is still admired in Denmark, and his talent can be seen in 90 movies.

Passer sang songs in his Euro-westerns: “Tough Guys of the Prairie” 1970 [sings: ““Praeriens skrappe drenge”] and “Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie” in 1971 [sings: "Swingdoor-Susie"].

PASSER, Dirch (Dirch Hartvig Passer) [5/18/1926, Østerbro, Copenhagen, Denmark – 9/3/1980, Copenhagen, Denmark (heart attack)] – producer, writer, actor, singer, married to actress, singer Sigrid Horne-Rasmussen [1915-1982] (1950-1959) father of actress Dorte Passer [1951-    ], married to illustrator Hanne Passer [1943–2007] (1970-1975) father of actress Josefine Passer [1966-    ], grandfather of writer, actress Mathilde Passer [1993-    ].

Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1970 (co) [sings: ““Praeriens skrappe drenge”]

Gold for the Tough Guys of the Prairie – 1971 (co) [sings: "Swingdoor-Susie"]