Katharina Thalbach

Born on 19 January 1954, Katharina Thalbach, originally named Katharina Joachim genannt Thalbach, is a skilled German actress and eminent stage director. She is better known for her performances at the Berliner Ensemble and the Volksbühne Berlin where she played various roles for theater and opera. Also notable in her career was her role for the film The Tin Drum. Katharina's early interest in acting bore roots from her parents, her father Benno Besson, a renowned director, and her mother Sabine Thalbach, a celebrated actress. Her acting journey began at the age of four when she starred in children's roles in stage plays, television shows, and films. The Berliner Ensemble and the Volksbühne Berlin were her initial platforms where she displayed her acting talents. Katharina moved to West Germany in 1976 with her partner Thomas Brasch due to political reasons and marked her debut at the Schillertheater in West Berlin. In addition to her acting career, Katharina directed various theater and opera shows, including the award-winning production Macbeth. She also directed productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen in Berlin.