Actor Torsten Michaelis, renowned for his role in "Tator," passes away at 64 years old
Torsten Michaelis: A Versatile Actor Known for His Role in 'Tatort'
Torsten Michaelis, a renowned German actor, passed away at the age of 64 in 2025. Michaelis was best known for his role as Stefan Bitomsky, the superior officer to Commissioner Charlotte Lindholm in the long-running German crime series Tatort (2007–2012).
Michaelis' work in Tatort spanned multiple roles and locations, including Saarbrucken, where he later portrayed the father of Kommissar Adam Schuerk. He played this role along with several others in Tatort, including Kriminaldirektor Bitomsky, Roland Schürk, Fred, Maus, Oberst Claasen, Polizist, and SEK-Einsatzleiter Arendt, appearing in about 18 episodes between 1998 and 2022.
Gaining widespread recognition through his role in the "Tatort" crime dramas, Michaelis' career in theater preceded his film and television work. He began his career at the Kammerspiele of the Deutsche Theater Berlin, then moved to the Hans Otto Theater in Potsdam.
In addition to his work on screen, Michaelis was a voice-over artist and lent his voice to actors such as Benicio Del Toro, Jeremy Irons, Martin Lawrence, and Wesley Snipes. The agency Stimmgerecht provided the list of actors Michaelis voiced for.
Torsten Michaelis' management stated that they had more plans with him, expressing shock and disbelief at his passing. They announced his death on their website and asked for privacy for Michaelis' family.
No further details about the cause of Michaelis' death were provided. However, it is known that he was active both as an actor and voice actor until his death.
Michaelis' notable film appearances include roles in Unknown (2011), where he played an airport taxi driver, and The Reader (2008) as a sports master.
In summary, Torsten Michaelis was a versatile actor, best known for his recurring role as Stefan Bitomsky in Tatort, alongside various supporting roles in film and television, supplemented by an active voice-over career though with less publicly known specific projects. He will be remembered for his contributions to German cinema and television.
[1] Tatort IMDb [2] The Reader IMDb [3] Unknown IMDb [4] Torsten Michaelis Wikipedia [5] Torsten Michaelis filmography
The acclaimed actor Torsten Michaelis, known for his role in 'Tatort,' also lent his voice to celebrities such as Benicio Del Toro, Jeremy Irons, Martin Lawrence, and Wesley Snipes. The versatile entertainer's career in German cinema and television spanned multiple genres, including crime scene dramas, films, and voice acting, leaving a significant impact on the industry.
