Ralf Richter Dies at 69, ‘Das Boot’ and ‘Bang Boom Bang’ Actor

German actor Ralf Richter, best known for his roles in “Das Boot” and “Bang Boom Bang,” has died at the age of 69.

Richter died peacefully at his home in Cologne overnight, his manager confirmed on behalf of his family.

His son Maxwell Richter also announced his father’s death on social media on Tuesday.

Richter had been struggling with health problems for some time. His son said the actor had suffered from COPD and heart problems.

Born in Essen in 1957, Richter became widely known after appearing in Wolfgang Petersen’s acclaimed 1981 war film “Das Boot.”

He later became a cult figure in German cinema through his portrayal of Kalle Grabowski in the 1999 crime comedy “Bang Boom Bang.”

Richter appeared in numerous films and television productions during a career spanning more than four decades, frequently playing tough or unconventional characters.

His other credits included “Superstau,” “Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht,” “Goldene Zeiten,” “Tatort” and “Alarm für Cobra 11.”

Richter had remained professionally active until recently, appearing at public events and continuing to work on film projects.

His family described his death as unexpected and far too early.