Just a few months after the death of Ingrid Steeger (1947-2023), Wichart von Roëll (1937-2024), the last big star of the 1970s cult show “Klimbim”, has passed away. As “Bild” reports, the actor died today, April 16th, at the proud age of 86 in a hospice in Recklinghausen.
As the militaristic head of the “Klimbim” family, von Roëll burned himself deeply into the collective consciousness of the German television audience in the anarchist comedy series between 1973-1979. In addition to Ingrid Steeger, other big names such as Elisabeth Volkmann (1936-2006), Peer Augustinski (1940-2014) and Horst Jüssen (1941-2008) also wrote TV history with him.
As “Bild” reports, the actor fell asleep peacefully in the arms of his wife Anne Althoff. “My husband wanted to leave; he had decided that all life-sustaining measures would be stopped,” said the widow. “He didn’t eat anything and didn’t drink anything anymore. We accompanied him on his last journey and were at his side.”
Althoff was married to the actor for 35 years and he would have celebrated his 87th birthday next Saturday. Even though it was difficult for her to say goodbye, she was comforted by the thought that her husband had led a “wonderful life full of joy”: “He was a happy person.”
Even after his glorious time as a “Klimbim” star, Wichart von Roëll continued to pursue his acting career with great success. Among other things, he later made a name for himself in the ARD series “Lindenstraße”, where he regularly played the role of Wilhelm Lösch, the stubborn holiday acquaintance of Helga Beimar (Marie-Luise Marjan, 83), between 1989 and 2017.
