Peter Simonischek, Austrian actor and star of ‘Toni Erdmann’, dies at 76

Peter Simonischek, the Austrian actor who stars in the film Tony Erdman and was known for his work on the stage, in film and on TV, he died at the age of 76.

Austrian public broadcaster ORF, German news agency dpa and other media outlets in Austria and Germany reported the news on Tuesday without immediately detailing the cause of death. The Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria also tweeted that Simonischek, a member of its ensemble and an honorary member of the theatre, died during the night.

The actor appeared regularly at the Salzburg Festival, where he was known for playing the lead role in comedy Whoever (Every man), which the festival has staged regularly, numerous times. For her role in Maren Ade’s quirky comedy-drama 2016 and Oscar nominee Tony Erdman, alongside Sandra Hüller, Simonischek won the German Film Award, or Lola, and the European Film Award for Best Actor. Among others, he was also nominated for the London Critics Circle Film Awards and the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards.

In a review of Tony Erdman For DAYLeslie Sweatshirtrin wrote: “Hades plays a particularly deft game herself as she manipulates, aided and abetted by Simonischek and Hüller’s intricate performances, audience sympathy for these initially irritating, perhaps even extremely unsympathetic characters who grow soft sides and sweet spots over the course of of the film”.

Simonischek, born August 6, 1946 in Graz, Austria, has also been honored in the German-speaking world. For example, he has twice won the prestigious Grimme Preis for German TV productions.