Siegfried Rauch

Siegfried Rauch (2 April 1932 – 11 March 2018) was a prolific German film and television actor whose career spanned six decades, earning him a place among the most recognizable faces of post‑war German entertainment. Born in Landsberg am Lech in Upper Bavaria, he pursued drama at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and complemented his studies with private acting lessons before debuting on stage in Bremen in 1958. Over the next few years he honed his craft in the major theatrical hubs of Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, developing a reputation for versatility that would later translate to the screen. Rauch’s breakthrough into international cinema arrived in the early 1970s, when he was cast as Captain Oskar Steiger in Patton (1970) and as the rival driver Erich Stahler in Steve McQueen’s racing classic Le Mans (1971). He continued to appear in prominent Hollywood productions, including The Eagle Has Landed (1976) as Sergeant Brandt and Samuel Fuller’s anti‑war epic The Big Red One (1980), where he portrayed a German sergeant whose experiences mirrored those of Lee Marvin’s character from the Allied side. His ability to convey both stoic authority and subtle vulnerability made him a sought‑after supporting actor in both German and international projects. Back in Germany, Rauch achieved household fame through the television miniseries Es muss nicht immer Kaviar sein (1977), playing the suave spy Thomas Lieven, a role that cemented his status as a leading man on German TV. From 1999 to 2013 he became the beloved captain of the long‑running series Das Traumschiff, a position he held after Heinz Weiss and before Sascha Hehn, bringing his dignified presence to countless audiences. He also made recurring appearances in series such as Der Bergdoktor and Kreuzfahrt ins Glück, remaining active in front of the camera until his final performance as Dr. Roman Melchinger in 2018. Off‑screen, Rauch was affectionately known as “Sigi”, lived in the picturesque village of Obersöchering near Weilheim, and was married to Karin Rauch from 1964 until his death. The couple raised two sons, one of whom, Jakob, counted Steve McQueen as his godfather. Rauch’s sudden death from heart failure at age 85 marked the end of an era, but his extensive body of work—spanning stage, German television, and Hollywood cinema—continues to influence actors and entertain viewers worldwide.