Ruth Stephan
Encyclopedia
Ruth Stephan was a German film and stage actress. She appeared with Heinz Erhardt
in the 'Willi' series of films.
before taking acting lessons.
During her early acting career she worked mostly in the stage in Germany, including theaters in Hamburg
and Berlin
. She appeared in her first movie in 1951 which made her career heading into a different direction. She was side-tracked into films and became a popular face of German comedy movies.
Most notably she appeared in numerous movies alongside Heinz Erhardt
- often playing his wife or secretary. She also became popular for portraying an English and Biology teacher in the late 1960's High School movie series Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank (English translation: The buggers from the first bench)
In the early 1970's Ruth Stephan went back to the stage - working more in theaters again.
She died of lung cancer in August 1975. A street in the district of Berlin-Spandau is named after her.
Heinz Erhardt
Heinz Erhardt was a German comedian, musician, entertainer, actor, and poet.Heinz Erhardt was the son of Baltic German Kapellmeister Gustl Erhardt. He lived most of his childhood at his grandparents in Riga, where his grandfather, Paul Nelder, owned a music house...
in the 'Willi' series of films.
Biography
Ruth Stephan was born to retail merchant Kurt Stephan and his wife Kriemhilde. After graduating from school she first worked as a certified bank tellerBank teller
A teller is an employee of a bank who deals directly with most customers. In some places, this employee is known as a cashier. Most teller jobs require cash handling experience and a high school diploma. Most banks provide on the job training....
before taking acting lessons.
During her early acting career she worked mostly in the stage in Germany, including theaters in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. She appeared in her first movie in 1951 which made her career heading into a different direction. She was side-tracked into films and became a popular face of German comedy movies.
Most notably she appeared in numerous movies alongside Heinz Erhardt
Heinz Erhardt
Heinz Erhardt was a German comedian, musician, entertainer, actor, and poet.Heinz Erhardt was the son of Baltic German Kapellmeister Gustl Erhardt. He lived most of his childhood at his grandparents in Riga, where his grandfather, Paul Nelder, owned a music house...
- often playing his wife or secretary. She also became popular for portraying an English and Biology teacher in the late 1960's High School movie series Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank (English translation: The buggers from the first bench)
In the early 1970's Ruth Stephan went back to the stage - working more in theaters again.
She died of lung cancer in August 1975. A street in the district of Berlin-Spandau is named after her.
Selected filmography
- I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg (1952)
- Die PrivatsekretärinDie Privatsekretärin (1953 film)Die Privatsekretärin is a 1953 German comedy film directed by Paul Martin and starring Sonja Ziemann, Rudolf Prack and Paul Hörbiger. It was a remake of the 1931 German film Die Privatsekretärin.-Cast:* Sonja Ziemann - Gerda Weber...
(1953) - Charley's AuntCharley's Aunt (1956 film)Charley's Aunt is a 1956 West German comedy film directed by Hans Quest and starring Heinz Rühmann, Hertha Feiler and Claus Biederstaedt. It is an adaptation of the British play Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas.-Cast:...
(1956) - On Thin Ice (1961)
- Breakfast in BedBreakfast in Bed (film)Breakfast in Bed is a 1963 German comedy film directed by Axel von Ambesser and starring O.W. Fischer, Liselotte Pulver and Ann Smyrner. The wife of a newspaper editor grows sick of his frequent absences.-Cast:...
(1963) - Hurrah, the School Is BurningHurrah, the School Is BurningHurrah, the School Is Burning is a 1969 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Peter Alexander, Heintje Simons and Theo Lingen. It is the fourth of a series of school comedy films under the collective title Die Lümmel von der ersten Bank , all of them starring Hansi Kraus and...
(1969) - What Is the Matter with Willi?What Is the Matter with Willi?What Is the Matter with Willi? is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ralf Wolter and Ruth Stephan. A tax inspector tries to reform the Ministry of Finance. It was based on a character Heinz Erhardt played on television...
(1970) - That Can't Shake Our Willi!That Can't Shake Our Willi!That Can't Shake Our Willi! is a 1970 German comedy film directed by Rolf Olsen and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ruth Stephan and Günther Jerschke. It is a sequel to the film What Is the Matter with Willi?...
(1970) - Hurray We Are Bachelors Again (1971)
- Our Willi Is the BestOur Willi Is the BestOur Willi Is the Best is a 1971 German comedy film directed by Werner Jacobs and starring Heinz Erhardt, Ruth Stephan and Rudolf Schündler. Now retired from his civil service job, Willi becomes a door-to-door salesman. Is the third part of the 'Willi' series of films.-Cast:* Heinz Erhardt ... ...
(1971) - Kinderarzt Dr. Fröhlich (1972)