Departures of note

Michael Mendl, born Michael Sandrock on 20 April 1944 in Lünen, was a celebrated German character actor. He trained at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, graduating in 1969, and built a distinguished stage career with permanent engagements at the Staatstheater Darmstadt, the Staatstheater Stuttgart, and the Bavarian State Theatre in Munich.

Mendl became a familiar face to German audiences through television, appearing in the long-running crime series 'Tatort' and later in the acclaimed Netflix series 'Dark'. He gained international recognition for his role in the 2004 film 'Der Untergang' (Downfall), which depicted the final days of Adolf Hitler's bunker.

Over a career spanning several decades, Mendl worked across theatre, film, and television, earning a reputation as one of Germany's most sought-after character actors. He died in September 2026 at the age of 82.