In Memoriam Lambert Hamel, Versatile German Actor, Dies at 85
February 17, 2026
Lambert Hamel, a familiar face in German television and theatre, has died at the age of 85. The actor, known for his diverse roles, passed away last Friday after a short illness.
Hamel was a recognizable presence on German screens, often cast as a villain or antagonist, but also portraying roles such as police officers, doctors, and even former Chancellor Helmut Kohl. His versatility extended to the stage, where he enjoyed considerable success.
A Career Spanning Decades
Born in Ludwigshafen, Hamel lived in Munich for decades. Whereas he had been less visible on camera in recent years, he remained active in the theatre. He studied Theatre Science and Philosophy and attended the Bochum Schauspielschule, beginning his career at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg.
Hamel found that roles evolved with age. As he noted around ten years ago, “First you suddenly have children and then you play the grandpa.” He believed every age group had a place in the performing arts, stating, “I can’t grab ‘Hamlet’ away from a young man and a young man can’t take ‘Lear’ from me.”
The Healing Power of the Stage
He particularly cherished the experience of performing on stage. “The stage heals. When I am in the dressing room and then travel on stage, everything is decent. The excitement, the adrenaline – that motivates.”
His final fixed theatre engagement was at the Münchner Residenztheater. Staatsintendant Andreas Beck described Hamel as “a great figure of Munich theatre and our art,” praising his remarkable performances, poetic delivery, and incredible versatility. Beck concluded with, “Thank you, Lambert Hamel, I thank you with your audience so much for so much!”
A Reluctance to Be Typecast
Hamel’s father initially discouraged his acting ambitions, reportedly telling his sisters to secure stable careers to support him. This spurred Hamel on. He expressed a desire to avoid being typecast, stating, “I wouldn’t like to be fixed as one type.”
Among his notable television roles was his portrayal of Helmut Kohl in the 2005 TV drama “Deutschlandspiel.” He also appeared in ZDF’s Dora Heldt films, “Der Bergdoktor,” and episodic roles in “Der Alte,” “Tatort,” and “Pfarrer Braun.” His last role was in “Und tot bist Du! Ein Schwarzwaldkrimi” in 2019.
