Buddy Elias was an American actor known for his roles in various stage and television productions. He was born on June 2, 1925, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and passed away on March 16, 2015, in Basel, Switzerland.
Personal and Family Life
Buddy Elias was born Bernhard Elias to Helene Frank and Erich Elias. He had one brother named Stephan and was a cousin to the famous diarist Anne Frank. Buddy was married to Gerti Wiedner from 1964 until his death, and they had two sons, Patrick and Oliver Elias. He was the last living relative of Anne Frank and served as the chairman of the Anne Frank Foundation.
Career
Elias began his acting training at the conservatory in Basel and completed it under Ernst Ginsberg in Zurich. He gained fame as a comedian in the “Holiday on Ice” show from 1947 to 1961. He later worked in numerous theaters across Germany and Switzerland, taking on significant roles in plays like ‘Urfaust’ and ‘Romeo und Julia’. Over the years, he participated in nearly 80 film and television productions, becoming well-known across various genres.
Death and Legacy
Buddy Elias passed away on March 16, 2015, in Basel, Switzerland. He is remembered not only for his extensive acting career but also for his connection to Anne Frank and his efforts to preserve her legacy through the Anne Frank Foundation. His work has left a lasting impact on theater and the representation of Jewish heritage in media.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mit deinen Augen | 2004-01-01 | Jacob Meerbaum |
| Hunkeler und der Fall Livius | 2009-12-13 | Charles Gentzmüller |
| Peng! Du bist tot! | 1987-04-15 | Kommissar Haupt |
| Nobel | 2001-11-16 | Jensen |
| Bronsteins Kinder | 1991-12-05 | Gordon Kwart |
| Die Schwarzwaldklinik | 1985-10-22 | Patient Möbius |
| Die Botschafterin | 1993-03-10 | Eberhard Häussler |
| Schalom, meine Liebe | 1998-01-01 | Jacob ‘Kuba’ |
| La belle Helene | 2003 | Calchas |
| No Asylum: The Untold Chapter of Anne Frank’s Story | 2015-01-01 | Himself |