ACTOR · BORN 1955 · DIED 2019
Jan Fedder
- Born
- 14 January 1955, Hamburg, Germany
- Died
- 30 December 2019
- Known for
- Das Boot (1981), Superstau (1991)
26 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Jan Fedder (14 January 1955 – 30 December 2019) was an actor best known for Das Boot and Superstau.
26 Interesting Facts About Jan Fedder
Interesting Facts (2)
- #001
- #002
Jan Fedder was known for his sensitivity toward disadvantaged segments of society. He took part in various efforts to support former prisoners, the homeless and HIV-positive individuals. Fedder's charity showed that he was not only an actor but also a person with a sense of social responsibility. His efforts touched the lives of many people and had a positive impact on society.
Behind the Scenes (4)
- #003
During the filming of 'Das Boot', in a scene where the submarine U-96 is caught in a storm, Jan Fedder lost his balance and nearly fell from the tower set into the sea. Bernd Tauber, noticing this dangerous moment, shouted 'Mann-über-Bord!' (man overboard) and helped Fedder climb onto the tower hatch. Director Petersen initially did not realize it was an accident and, saying 'Good idea, Jan. We'll do that again!', treated the situation as a scene. But when he realized the seriousness of the incident, Fedder was immediately taken to hospital. This event laid bare how risky the moments Fedder experienced on set were and the importance of the crew's quick intervention.
- #004
Jan Fedder was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2012. This diagnosis deeply affected both his career and his personal life. Throughout his struggle with cancer he received treatment many times and went through difficult processes. Yet despite his illness, Fedder showed the determination to keep working and took part in many projects. This revealed what a strong and resilient character he had.
- #005
In addition to acting, Jan Fedder also worked as a voice actor. His distinctive voice brought characters to life in many productions. Fedder's work in voice acting showed that he was a versatile artist. In this way, he left his mark on viewers' memories both on screen and through his voice.
- #006
In 2013, the Hamburg Film Festival celebrated the 45th anniversary of Jan Fedder's stage career. Fedder had first stepped in front of the camera as a 13-year-old boy, and over this long career he had signed many unforgettable productions. This celebration honoured his success and longevity in his artistic life.
Deeper Meaning (2)
- #007
Fedder was a guy with edges and a whistle on conventions, a rough leg with charm. Above all, someone who couldn't be bent and said what he thought. Fedder has been named honorary commissioner by the police several times. He is standing on the Reeperbahn as a wax figure in the "Panoptikum".
- #008
Jan Fedder had a sharp-tongued character who hardly followed the rules but was all the more charming. He was known as someone who spoke his mind openly and did not easily bend. Fedder, who was several times elected an honorary commissioner by the police, also earned society's appreciation with this title. In addition, he was immortalized with a wax figure displayed at the 'Panoptikum' museum on Hamburg's famous Reeperbahn street. This figure symbolized his standing in the public eye and his popularity.
Career & Awards (9)
- #009
- #010
- #011
- #012
- #013
- #014
- #015
- #016
Over the course of his career, Jan Fedder appeared in more than 400 productions and, with his distinctive voice and accent, made North German characters virtually his trademark. In particular, his farmer character Brakelmann in the NDR series 'Neues aus Büttenwarder' formed a cult duo with 'Adsche', played by Peter Heinrich Brix. The series gained a large fan base, especially in northern Germany, and took its place among Fedder's unforgettable works.
- #017
In 2006, Jan Fedder was honored with the German Television Award for his performance in the production 'Der Mann im Strom' ('The Man in the Current'). This award is regarded as one of the most important achievements of his acting career. Fedder's role in this film revealed his dramatic talent and the depth of his characters. The award proved how successful he was not only in comedy but also in serious dramas.
Life & Family (9)
- #018
In a TV interview in 2018, actor Jan Fedder spoke to Reinhold Beckmann about dark thoughts during his long radiation therapy for oral carcinoma. A third of his tongue also had to be removed. "It was the worst time of my life because I had no strength at all. I couldn't even pick up the phone, "Fedder said on the show.
- #019
- #020
- #021
- #022
- #023
- #024
- #025
Contains a major spoiler — show
His wife was on vacation in Spain when her husband died in Hamburg. As the picture has learned, the two often spent the holidays separately - she in the warm south, he at home on the neighbourhood in St. Pauli. When she tried to reach her husband by Phone and that didn't work, she was worried. She called a friend who has an apartment key. He drove there immediately and found Fedder lifeless in bed. He alarmed them Paramedic - but all help came too late.
- #026
Continue through the archive
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work