A Bridge Too Far star Hardy Krüger has died at the age of 93 in California, his family have confirmed.
The star was best known for appearing in WWII flick A Bridge Too Far as Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig. He also appeared in The Flight of the Phoenix and Wild Geese.
Fans will also remember him from Stanley Kubrick’s film Barry Lyndon, as well as Hatari!, in which he starred alongside John Wayne.
A statement released by Krüger’s agency read: “His warmth of heart, joie de vivre, and his unshakable sense of justice will make him unforgettable.”
He died “suddenly and unexpectedly” at his home in California on Wednesday (January 20).
(Image: Frank Hempel/United Archives via Getty Images)
Tributes have already been pouring in for the late star on social media, with one fan writing: “One of Germany’s first movie heartthrobs passed away at 93. RIP Hardy Krüger.”
Someone else said: “Ad Astra Hardy Krüger. Thank you for the countless adventures and trips.”
While BBC journalist Patrick Jackson added: “Thanks also for giving us the scariest officer ever in Barry Lyndon.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The German actor made his film debut aged just 15, before going on to fight in World War II – with his division being drawn into heavy combat. Hardy was eventually sentenced to death for cowardice after refusing to attack a group of US soldiers – but the order was eventually countered by another officer.
After his experiences in the war, he spoke publicly against extremism and in praise of democracy – and continued his acting career.
He eventually semi-retired from acting in the 1980s, and went on to publish 16 books as well as directing various travel documentaries; his last on-screen acting role came in 2011, when he starred in the German flick Familiengeheimnisse – Liebe, Schuld und Tod as Victor Frey.
(Image: Getty Images)
During his incredible acting career, Hardy even shared a scene with Laurence Olivier while starring in A Bridge Too Far.
The star was married three times and had three children – Christiane with first wife Renate Densow, and Malaika and Hardy Krüger Jr with second wife Francesca Marazzi.
Hardy is survived by his widow, Anita Park, whom he married in 1978. The pair lived together in Hamburg and California.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
