In memory of the Loriot actor Heinz Meier
In the service of a brilliant humorist
Heinz Meier was born February 17, 1930 in Perwissau in what was then East Prussia. In 1953, while still a university student, he co-founded of the Wallgraben Theater in Freiburg, a private theater that he later owned and ran until 2003. It provided him with a stage on which he played some 200 roles over a period of almost 60 years.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Meier became known throughout West Germany through his legendary appearances in sketches by Germany’s renowned humorist Loriot: from 1967 to 1972 in the CARTOON series made by the broadcaster Süddeutscher Rundfunk (now SWR) and from 1976 to 1978 in the enormously successful series LORIOT (I-VI) broadcast by Radio Bremen. Playing characters who were constantly indignant and piqued, Meier made himself an unforgettable part of the West German television landscape with his performances in the Loriot episodes “The Lotto Winner” and “Mother’s Piano.” He also appeared in Loriot’s two large-scale cinema outings ÖDIPUSSI (1988) and PAPPA ANTE PORTAS (1991).
Meier worked with Fassbinder in 1972, when he appeared in the second part of EIGHT HOURS ARE NOT A DAY (Oma and Gregor), and in 1973, when he played the important role of Secretary of State Von Weinlaub in WORLD ON A WIRE, appearing in the expositional scene addressing the lobbyist-driven intertwinement of business and politics.
Heinz Meier remained living in Schliengen near Freiburg until his death at the age of 83 on July 21, 2013.
More information
Heinz Meier’s filmography can be found at filmportal.de and details of his life and career are available on the website of the Wallgraben-Theater.
Photo left: © RWFF
Photo right: © Wallgraben-Theater