Wolfgang Draeger(1928-2023)

Extremely prolific German actor and voice actor of urbane manner and gentlemanly appearance, trained at the Conservatory for Music and the Performing Arts in Berlin under the auspices of Wilhelm Althaus. On stage from 1955, he began as an ensemble member of the famous cabaret troupe Die Stachelschweine. He debuted on screen the following year and then appeared sporadically, usually in supporting roles, as minor authority figures. It was, however, his distinctive voice which proved to be his greatest asset. Aside from dubbing for films and TV, he also featured prominently in (often youth-oriented) radio plays, such as 'TKKG'. Prior to his retirement in 2021, Draeger was the regular German synchronising voice for Woody Allen, with whose personae he said to have felt a natural affinity. Other notable stars he dubbed for have included Dudley Moore and James Cagney (on frequent occasions), Jack Nicholson, Alain Delon, Christopher Plummer, Eric Idle, Alan Arkin and Gene Wilder. He was also Bob Denver's voice in Gilligan's Island (1964).