Helmut Fischer

In 1972 he played in the Bavarian Television's first episode of theTatortseries, as assistant to then-time Inspector Veigl (played byGustl Bayrhammer). When Veigl was "retired" in 1981, Fischer was "promoted" toCommissioner Ludwig Lenzand as such he solved a total of seven cases until 1987. In 1974 Helmut Fischer, in his favourite caféMünchner Freiheitmet directorHelmut Dietl. The latter recognised his friend's true talent and in 1980 gave him a major role in the TV seriesDer ganz normale Wahnsinnin which Fischer for the first time got to play a manquéed playboy. The final breakthrough came in 1983 with Helmut Fischer's seriesMonaco Franze - der ewige Stenz. Again Helmut Dietl was the director,Patrick Süskindcooperated on the scripts to almost all episodes. In the series, which has now reached cult status among fans, Fischer alongsideRuth Maria Kubitschek,Karl ObermayrandErni Singerlin inimitable way embodied an easygoing dandy, charmer and ladies' men, who always manages to master awkward situations with a sheepy smile. Famous sayings by the character role like "A bisserl was geht immer (Anything goes)" were adapted into daily language use. Matching this, Fischer also recorded a successful single titled "Spatzl (Schau wia i schau))(Sweetheart (Look like I'm looking))". From now on, the actor was busy with roles whose character were always based onStenzthough. Until the end of his life Fischer kept assuring that the figure ofMonaco Franzehad nothing to do with his real life. In the mid-1980s, Fischer played withThomas GottschalkandMichael Winslowin the twoZärtliche Chaotenfilms, from 1987 to 1992 he could be seen as "Josefbärli" alongVeronika Fitzand Ilse Neubauer in the seriesDie Hausmeisterin (The House Keeper). Fischer enjoyed his last success in the seriesEin Schloß am Wörthersee (A castle on theWörthersee), where he played the absentminded estate managerLeo Laxeneder, and as the fictitious mayor of Hohenwaldau,Peter ElfingerinPeter and PaulalongsideHans Clarin. In 1993 Helmut Fischer was diagnosed with cancer. He kept this diagnosis largely secret, only his wife Utta knew about it. In 1996, the actor underwent treatment by the well-known and controversial cancer specialist Julius Hackethal. In November he celebrated his 70th anniversary with a great number of friends and colleagues. At the occasion the told the press: "Das Leben macht sich ja mehr und mehr aus dem Staub(Life is more and more buzzing off)". Eight months later Fischer, to the surprise of the common public, died inChiemgau. More than 1,000 people participated in the funeral service at the mortuary of Munich's northern cemetery and the subsequent funeral at the Bogenhausen cemetery (gravesite no. 2-4-2) on 19 June 1997. In his funeral speech Munich's Lord MayorChristian Ude, a friend and neighbour of Fischer, said: "...Populär war er in ganz Deutschland - in München wurde er geliebt.(He was popular throughout Germany - in Munich, he was loved.)".