Götz George was a German actor born July 23, 1938 in Berlin, who died in 2016. He was among the most celebrated German actors of his generation, widely known for playing detective Horst Schimanski in the television series Tatort starting in 1981. He also had a significant film career, receiving acclaim for dramatic roles including his performance in Rossini (1997) and Der Totmacher (1995), the latter earning him major German film honors. He was the son of actors Heinrich George and Berta Drews. He remains one of the most iconic figures in postwar German cinema and television.