Who Are Those Guys? - Kurt Böwe

Kurt Böwe was born in Reetz, Brandenburg, Germany on April 28, 1929. Böwe was a German actor, who in East Germany was very successful in film and theater, and later became well known to all German TV audiences as Commissioner Groth in the television series ‘Polizeiruf 110’.

Kurt was born as one of six children to the farm family of Reetzer Böwe. In his youth he was interested in literature and the theater and after he graduated from high school in 1949, he took the entrance exam at the drama school of the Deutsches Theater in Berlin.  Although he received an approval Deutsches Theater, he studied from 1950 to 1954 at the Institute of Theatre Studies of the Humboldt University of Berlin, then started an academic career.  After completing his studies, he worked another six years as an assistant at the University, where he gave lectures in theater history and drama.  Parallel to his assistance, he also acted at the student theater, where the then head Horst Schönemann persuaded him to pursue an acting career.

After he turned to acting, he made a commitment in 1961 to the Maxim Gorki Theater. He also spent a short time at the Volksbühne Berlin, then an engagement at the Landestheater Halle, before appearing in 1973 on the stage of the Deutsches Theater before moving to Berlin. From 1973 to 1997 he belonged to the local ensemble and became at this time one of its most famous and popular performers.

Kurt launched his film and television work in Berlin in 1961, initially in small roles, such as in Konrad Wolf's DEFA short “Ich war neunzehn”, and later in leading roles, as Wolf’s film “Der nackte Mann auf dem Sportplatz” in 1973. His portrayed the sculptor Kemmel which earned him the breakthrough as a film actor and made him known nationally and internationally. This was followed by numerous other film and television roles.

With his distinctive voice, he was also a voice actor and spokesman in about 150 radio plays - often for children.

In 1969 Böwe was awarded with the GDR Art Prize. In 1971 he received the National Prize of the GDR III of Class of Arts and Letters and in 1989, First Class.

Kurt Böwe met Heidemarie Schönknecht [1941-    ], in a radio drama play she wrote, whom he later married. He was the father of four children. His daughters Susanne Bowe [1964- ] and Winnie Böwe [1973- ] are also actresses. Winnie is more well known as an opera singer.

BOWE, Kurt (Kurt Böwe) [4/28/1929, Reetz, Brandenburg, Germany – 6/14/2000, Berlin, Berlin, Germany] – stage, radio, TV actor, married to playwright Heidemarie Schönknecht [1941-    ] (19??-2000) father of actress Susanne Bowe [1964-    ], actress, opera singer Winnie Bowe [1972-    ], two more children.

Bluehawk – 1979 (John Ruster)