Heinz Bennent

Heinz Bennent (18 July 1921 – 12 October 2011) was a distinguished German actor whose career spanned more than four decades across stage, film and television. Born in Stolberg, Rhineland, Germany, he endured the turmoil of World II, being conscripted into the Luftwaffe before spending a lengthy period as a prisoner of war under Allied captivity. After his release he settled in Göttingen, where he began his theatrical work and quickly transitioned to screen roles, making his film debut in the late 1950s. His early performances in titles such as Arzt aus Leidenschaft (1959) and Madame Pompadour (1960) showcased a versatile talent that would later attract directors from across Europe. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s he appeared in a steady stream of German and French productions, ranging from crime dramas like Der Kommissar to ambitious literary adaptations such as The Serpent's Egg (1977) where he portrayed Professor Hans Vergerus. In 1975 he featured in the cult classic The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum, delivering a nuanced portrayal of Dr. Hubert Blorna, and his role in The Tin Drum (1979) cemented his reputation as a reliable character actor.

In the 1980s Bennet’s career reached an international peak with performances in celebrated films like The Last Metro (1980), for which he earned a César Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and Possession (1981), where his intense presence added depth to the troubled narrative. He later moved to Switzerland, becoming a fixture in both Swiss and French television, and continued to act well into the early 2000s, with his final screen appearance as Sigmund Freud in Princesse Marie (2004). Off‑screen, Bennet was the patriarch of a talented family; his son David Bennent gained fame for The Tin Drum, and his daughter Anne Bennent pursued an acting career of her own. He passed away in Lausanne at the age of 90, leaving behind a rich legacy of diverse performances across European cinema.