Television Personalities and Character Interpreters: Kohlund Celebrates 75th Birthday - Notable television personality transitions between leading roles and supporting parts in various series.
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Christian Kohlund, a renowned Swiss character actor, has built a successful career in German series and films, but his journey began on the stage. His theatre career peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, with numerous performances in classical plays in major German-speaking cities such as Zürich, Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich [1].
Training at the prestigious Max-Reinhardt-Seminar in Vienna, Kohlund initially focused on serious classical theatre, aspiring to roles in works by Shakespeare, Kleist, Schiller, and Goethe [1]. Although more widely known for his television roles, his earliest acting included many stage appearances in classical theatrical productions during that period [1].
One notable theatrical adaptation involving Kohlund is the TV version of Die See (based on the play by Edward Bond) from 1974, where he acted alongside German theater legend Siegfried Lowitz [4]. He also performed in the TV film Revolte im Erziehungshaus (1975), and the film Abelard: Die Entmannung (1975/1977), which are linked to staged or theatrical origins [4].
Despite his extensive theatre background, there are no explicit mentions of one-person shows in the sources, indicating that Kohlund's career focused more on ensemble theatre and television acting.
Kohlund's favorite role, however, is a testament to his theatrical roots. Playing the character Thomas Borchert in the long-running Zürich-Krimi TV film series, Borchert is a complex, multi-faceted character—a former lawyer with a troubled past who now pursues justice with unconventional methods. Kohlund appreciates such layered roles more than those of idealized, flawless protagonists [1][3].
Currently, Kohlund plays this role in the Zürich Crime series, which he has appeared in 22 times. Filming for new episodes is set to resume in September, with broadcast expected by the end of the year.
Kohlund's love for theatre and live performances has never left him. He has performed this role in Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich. Despite his age, Kohlund does not plan to retire, citing his love for his work and the lack of great roles for men of his age.
Born in Basel, Kohlund is a Swiss citizen who speaks perfect Swiss German, but he considers himself a world citizen, with ancestors from Denmark. He has been married to former German pop singer Elke Best since 1982 and they live in the Bavarian Forest with their two children, now grandparents.
Kohlund has also appeared in series classics like "Derrick", "Ein Fall für Zwei", and "Das Traumschiff", as well as numerous films. He has even played the villain Burton at the Karl-May Festival in Bad Segeberg. Kohlund has also directed plays by Hemingway, Kleist, and David W. Rintels.
In the Zürich Crime series, Kohlund plays the gruff but justice-seeking lawyer Thomas Borchert, a role he considers his favorite due to its multi-faceted nature. Borchert once went astray but now fights for justice with unconventional methods due to his life's ups and downs. Kohlund played the defense attorney Clarence Darrow in a stage production, further demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
Despite his success in television, Kohlund's grounding in classical theatre is significant, and his theatrical sensibilities continue to influence his work in television, blending his theatrical background into complex character portrayals [1][3].
- In his interviews, Christian Kohlund mentions watching movies and TV shows as one of his favorite forms of entertainment, showcasing his enjoyment of the celebrities and stories that are prevalent in this medium.
- After a successful run in the Zürich Crime series, Christian Kohlund aims to bring his popular character, Thomas Borchert, to the stage, potentially giving fans a chance to witness the fusion of his theatre roots and television success in a live setting.
