Rolf Zacher with Rumpel
Rolf Zacher (1941-2018) was a German actor known for his work in film and television, often playing small-time criminals. He guest starred on Sesamstrasse in 1998, appearing in Folge 1896 as a garbage man who brings an organic wastebin to the courtyard. He also appeared in the 25th anniversary special Am Anfang War Das A: 25 Jahre Sesamstrasse.
Zacher began screen acting in the 1960s, initially with small or uncredited roles as in the Edgar Wallace krimi film The Seventh Victim (1964) and the English language film The Defector (1966, with Montgomery Clift). He appeared on the series Gestatten - Mein Name ist Cox (1965) as a gang member, reflecting what would become his primary type. Zacher starred in 1968's Der Griller as a young man involved in using and delivering pills, followed by steady mostly supporting roles. He appeared in the 1970s English language films The Spy Who Never Was (with Peter Capell) and Son of Hitler (with Alf Marholm). In 1980, Zacher was one of the two stars of the crime film Endstation Freiheit, again playing to type, winning two German film industry awards.
While film work continued, Zacher increased his television presence, with frequent appearances on Tatort (usually as criminals yet again) and regular roles on the sitcoms Angelo und Luzy (as Angelo) and Büro, Büro and the soap opera Rote Rosen.