Slipping Away: Legendary "Old Fox" Actor Rolf Schimpf Bids Farewell at 100
Centenarian Rolf Schimpf, famed as 'The Old One', has passed away at the ripe age of 100. - Centenarian Rolf Schimpf Passes Away at Age 100
Wave those hats in the air one last time, folks, because Rolf Schimpf, our beloved "Old Fox," has joined the big mystery up above. Yes, you heard it right! The man behind Leo Kress, every crime-solving mystic's spiritual guide, left us on Saturday at the ripe old age of 100. His biographer, Detlef Vetten, confirmed the news to the German Press Agency, following numerous media reports.
Rolf Schimpf might not sound familiar to many, but his impact on German television is undeniable, thanks to his remarkable stint in the series "The Old Fox."
A man of many hatsAs a seasoned thespian, Schimpf graced our screens with prominent roles across various shows. Before donning the hat of Leo Kress in "The Old Fox," he made a name for himself in productions like "Hafenkrankenhaus," "Ida Rogalski," "Meine Tochter - Unser Fräulein Doktor," "SOKO 5113," and "Mensch Bachmann." It was in these shows that he established a substantial fan base, paving the way for his iconic role as the maestro of crime-solving, Leo Kress [1][2].
The Old FoxFrom 1986 to 2007, Schimpf brought Leo Kress to life in "The Old Fox." He stepped into the shoes of the original lead, Siegfried Lowitz, and appeared in over 220 episodes. Leo Kress, a senior inspector, became Schimpf's most enduring and cherished role, remaining etched in the annals of German television history. His final appearance on the series was in May 2009, where he returned as the retired chief inspector Leo Kress, just to remind us that even though he's gone, he's never truly disappeared.
So, here's to Rolf Schimpf - a man who made magic with a hat, cast a spell on our hearts, and left an indelible mark on Germany's television landscape. Rest in peace, dear "Old Fox." Your tales of mystery live on.
[1] "Rolf Schimpf," IMDb, imdb.com/name/nm1435165[2] Kempthorne, Marianne. "Rolf Schimpf: The actor who played 'The Old Fox' dies aged 100," The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvand radio/tv-and-radio-news/a33518210/rolf-schimpf-the-actor-who-played-the-old-fox-dies- aged-100.html
Detlef Vetten, Schimpf's biographer, confirmed the tragic news.
Even though rolf schimpf is no longer with us, his iconic role as leo kress, the senior inspector in 'The Old Fox,' will endure.
Schimpf's extensive portfolio included roles in productions like 'Hafenkrankenhaus,' 'Ida Rogalski,' 'Meine Tochter - Unser Fräulein Doktor,' 'SOKO 5113,' and 'Mensch Bachmann,' prior to his debut as Leo Kress in 'The Old Fox.'
