--- name: "Waldemar Kobus" canonical: "https://film.one/person/waldemar-kobus" fi1m_id: "waldemar-kobus" imdb_id: "nm0462201" tmdb_id: 27627 wikidata_id: "Q89284" roles: ["Actor"] born: "16 April 1966" reviewed_on_fi1m: 3 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-10-01T19:01:20.151436+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Waldemar Kobus ## Identity Waldemar Kobus - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/waldemar-kobus - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** waldemar-kobus - **IMDb ID:** nm0462201 - **TMDB ID:** 27627 - **Wikidata ID:** Q89284 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldemar_Kobus, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89284, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0462201/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27627 Actor. Born 16 April 1966 in Szczytno, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Poland. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 16 April 1966, Szczytno, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Poland - **Active:** 2006–present - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 80 (1), 2010s 82 (1), 2020s 80 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 74 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 3, History 2, War 2, Thriller 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $31m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldemar_Kobus, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89284, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0462201/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/27627 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*Black Book*](https://film.one/film/black-book.md) (80) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Waldemar Kobus > Waldemar Kobus is the German officer in the middle distance, and has made a career of it. In *Black Book* he gives the type something it rarely gets, a sweating, singing, cash-counting private life; elsewhere he is in and out before you have placed him. The man Paul Verhoeven hands Waldemar Kobus in *Black Book* (2006) is Günther Franken, the SS officer who is the brute of the building, and Kobus plays him as a sweating man who sings at parties and keeps a cash box. The singing is what stays. Most screen Nazis are cold; Franken is having a lovely war, and the cash box tells you he means to come out of it ahead. We found him more unpleasant than anyone else in uniform in that film, because cruelty you can see a man enjoying is harder to look away from, and Kobus never once lets the enjoyment drop. He came to it late and sideways. Born in Poland and raised in Germany, trained in Munich and busy for years in theatre, he was known to German audiences first as Viktor Schimanek, a police officer in the RTL comedy *Alles Atze* (2004–2007). *Black Book* changed what he was offered abroad. There followed Vinny, a thug in the Wachowskis' *Speed Racer* (2008); Police Chief von Helldorf in Bryan Singer's *Valkyrie* (2008); *Miracle at St. Anna* the same year; Hansen in Robert Schwentke's *The Captain* (2017); Stein in Terrence Malick's *A Hidden Life* (2019). Read as a list, it is a wardrobe of greatcoats. The deep voice and the bulk are what casting directors are buying, and on the evidence of *Black Book* what he does with them is not much, on purpose. He does not play Franken as a monster or as a man with doubts; he plays him as an employee who has found the job agreeable, and lets the uniform do the threatening. That is a useful thing to be able to do and a narrow one. We have not reviewed most of the films above and will not pretend to weigh the parts, but the pattern is plain enough. The exception is at home, where Michael Herbig has used him three times in family films, as the voice of the Yeti in *Lissi und der wilde Kaiser* (2007) and as Halvar in *Wickie und die starken Männer* (2009), and where the comedy that made his name on television is allowed out. In Paweł Pawlikowski's *Fatherland* (2026) he is the Mayor of Frankfurt, a civilian for once, in a film that is exact, handsome and over in 82 minutes, and our review did not stop on him. That is the other half of this kind of career: the part is there, the face is right, the film moves on. See *Black Book* for the whole of him. For the rest, keep an eye on the men standing behind the man who is talking. ## Biography Waldemar Kobus is a German actor. Born on 16 April 1966 in Szczytno, Poland, he moved to Germany in 1970 and grew up in Düren. He trained at the Otto-Falckenberg School in Munich from 1988 to 1991, after which he worked in theatre in Frankfurt, Bochum, Stuttgart, Zurich, Vienna and Cologne. Since the early 1990s he has appeared regularly in film and television, with a greater focus on screen work from 2001. He is known for his role as Viktor Schimanek in the RTL series *Alles Atze* (2000–2007) and as SS officer Günther Franken in *Black Book* (2006). Other credits include *Speed Racer* (2008), *The Captain* (2018), *A Hidden Life* (2019) and *Fatherland* (2026), in which he plays the Mayor of Frankfurt. He has also performed as a singer during the Cologne Carnival and is married to actress Traute Hoess. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, filmportal.de.* ## On Fi1m (3) - *Fatherland* (2026), Fi1m 80, as Mayor of Frankfurt — [page](https://film.one/film/fatherland.md) - *A Hidden Life* (2019), Fi1m 82, as Stein — [page](https://film.one/film/a-hidden-life.md) - *Black Book* (2006), Fi1m 80, as Günther Franken — [page](https://film.one/film/black-book.md) ## Complete filmography (119) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Fatherland* (2026), as Mayor of Frankfurt — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/fatherland.md) - *Manitou's Canoe* (2025), as Mr. Lucas - *Sebastian Fitzek's Therapy* (2023), series, as Patrick Halberstaedt - *Das Märchen von der Zauberflöte* (2023), as Sarastro - *Seneca* (2023), Actor - *The Magic Flute* (2022), as Mr. Suessmayr - *Decision Game* (2022), series, as Obdachloser - *Klabautermann* (2022), Actor - *Goldjungs* (2021), as Iwan Herstatt - *Null Komma Null* (2020), as Guest - *The Magic Kids: Three Unlikely Heroes* (2020), as Brückentroll - *A Hidden Life* (2019), as Stein — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/a-hidden-life.md) - *Hubert und Staller – Eine schöne Bescherung* (2018), as Michael Schartl - *Beat* (2018), series, as Korsch - *The Captain* (2018), as Hansen - *Triff …* (2017), series, as Martin Luther - *Babylon Berlin* (2017), series, as Döhmann — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/babylon-berlin.md) - *Teenosaurus Rex* (2017), as Dr. Kohlbuch - *The Zookeeper's Wife* (2017), as Dr. Ziegler - *A Gentle Noise Between the Lines* (2017), as Monsieur Henri - *Wendy - Der Film* (2017), as Metzger Röttgers - *Radio Home* (2016), as Opa - *Fake* (2016), as Hausmann - *Der Athen Krimi: Trojanische Pferde* (2016), as Petros - *Aus der Kurve* (2015), as Wilhelm Borgdorf - *Sesamstrasse präsentiert: Der Schatz des Käpt'n Karotte* (2015), as Captain - *Inspector Dupin: Brittany's Surf* (2014), as Le Berre-Ryckeboerec - *Schlaflos in Istanbul* (2014), as Frank - *The Black Brothers* (2014), as Battista Rossi - *Die Fahnderin* (2014), as Schmidt-Rohrbach - *Eine Hand wäscht die Andere* (2012), as Karsten Leimer - *Die LottoKönige* (2012), series, as Rudi König - *Letzte Spur Berlin* (2012), series, as Reuter - *Russendisko* (2012), as Rabbi - *Victor and the Secret of Crocodile Mansion* (2012), as Herr Strichninsky - *Die Chefin* (2012), series, as Christian Franke - *Heiter bis tödlich - Nordisch Herb* (2011), series, as Wulff Thorwald - *Wickie and the Treasure of the Gods* (2011), as Halvar - *Alive and Ticking* (2011), as Daniel Strumpf - *The Secret of the Ark* (2011), as Jon Vogler - *Nord Nord Mord* (2011), series, as Sven Lund - *Nemesis* (2010), as Karl - *Hochzeitspolka* (2010), as Manni - *Der letzte Bulle* (2010), series, as Lars Reuter - *Danni Lowinski* (2010), series, as Silvio Heimeroth - *Beloved Berlin Wall* (2009), as Schultze - *Killerjagd. Töte mich, wenn du kannst* (2009), as Patrick Stimmler - *Wickie the Mighty Viking* (2009), as Halvar - *Jakobs Bruder* (2009), as Matthias Goldt - *Hinter Kaifeck* (2009), as Franz Kogler - *The Wild Chicks and Life* (2009), as Herr Megert - *Sleeping Songs* (2009), as Wolle - *Die Schnüfflerin - Peggy kann's nicht lassen* (2008), as Dehler - *Miracle at St. Anna* (2008), as Colonel Pflueger - *Schade um das schöne Geld* (2008), as Oberkreisdirektor - *Mordshunger* (2008), as Stephan Bronski - *Speed Racer* (2008), as Vinny - Cruncher Thug - *Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing - The Amazing Racer Family* (2008), as Vinnie - *Verrückt nach Emma* (2008), as Rudi - *Beautiful Bitch* (2007), as Mihai - *The Vow* (2007), as Dr. Wesener - *Lissi and the Wild Emperor* (2007), as Yeti (voice) - *Head Under Water* (2007), as Kellner - *GG 19 – Deutschland in 19 Artikeln* (2007), as Harry Möller, Art. 9 - *Alma Investigates - Tango and Death* (2007), as Werner - *Rudy: The Return of the Racing Pig* (2007), as Polizist - *Post Mortem* (2007), series, as Prof. Brehme - *Hamburg Dockland* (2007), series, as Bernhard - *Die Österreichische Methode* (2006), as Hausmeister in der Skihalle - *Waiter* (2006), as Richard - *Black Book* (2006), as Günther Franken — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/black-book.md) - *Als der Fremde kam* (2006), Actor - *Die Bullenbraut 2 - Der Tod hat 17 Karat* (2006), as Gonzo - *Ladyland* (2006), series, as Herr Wilms - *Lasko - Death Train* (2006), Actor - *Alles über Anna* (2006), series, as Atze Schneider - *Das Leben der Philosophen* (2006), as Salzbrücker - *Arnies Welt* (2005), as Polizist Meierich - *For Love or Money* (2005), as Herr Bayerle - *Der Vater meiner Schwester* (2005), as Michael - *Zwei Wochen für uns* (2005), as Herr Berger - *Die Bullenbraut* (2005), as Gonzo - *Der Staatsanwalt* (2005), series, as Hans Witte - *Zwei gegen zwei* (2005), as Walter Bormann - *Meet Your Star* (2004), as Ralph - *Das Zimmermädchen und der Millionär* (2004), as Arnold Heinrich - *Liebe in der Warteschleife* (2004), as Dietmar - *Die Stunde der Offiziere* (2004), Actor - *(T)Raumschiff Surprise - Periode 1* (2004), as Palace Guard - *Ein Mann für den 13ten* (2004), as Ludger Jakob - *Ein Zwilling ist nicht genug* (2004), as Jochen - *SOKO Köln* (2003), series, as Bernie Pelzer, Patrick Auer, Tommy Meisle, Jürgen Hofstätter - *Fools* (2003), as Wirt - *Sternenfänger* (2002), series, as Wigbert Schmitz - *Der Freund von früher* (2002), Actor - *Die heimlichen Blicke des Mörders* (2001), as Sven Böhmer - *Der Ermittler* (2001), series, as Richard Hessekamp - *SOKO Leipzig* (2001), series, as Kurt Vetter - *Alles Atze* (2000), series, as Viktor Schimanek - *The Peppercorns* (1999), series, as Torsten Kaschinsky - *Sonnenallee* (1999), as Samson - *Ritas Welt* (1999), series, Actor - *SK Kölsch* (1999), series, as Kurt Fassbender - *Die Cleveren* (1998), series, as Georg Wettig - *Der Kapitän* (1997), series, as Manne Erdmann - *SK-Babies* (1996), series, as Olli - *Alarm for Cobra 11: The Motorway Police* (1996), series, as Charles Zettelmaier - *Balko* (1995), series, as Pöbler - *Wilsberg* (1995), series, as Kaplan, Dekan Braun - *The Threepenny Opera* (1995), as Säge-Robert - *Die Wache* (1994), series, as Verkäufer - *Hecht & Haie* (1993), series, as Bruno - *Der Bergdoktor* (1992), series, as Victor - *Four Junior Detectives* (1992), as Otto - *Großstadtrevier* (1986), series, as Bernd Kranz - *A Case For Two* (1981), series, as Naumann - *Polizeiruf 110* (1971), series, as Rudolf Bröcker, Bernd Emil Jaschke - *Scene of the Crime* (1970), series, as Dinkel, Hausmeister, Paul Wattenscheid - *Don't Be A Stranger*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Waldemar Kobus](https://film.one/media/person/96167/gallery-26853c824663.jpg) Waldemar Kobus — Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2733.jpg/1280px-WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2733.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/96167/gallery-13591f337748.jpg) Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014) — Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2738.jpg/1280px-WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2738.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/96167/gallery-caaa64620dd0.jpg) Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014) — Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2725.jpg/1280px-WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2725.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/96167/gallery-024d40f147ac.jpg) Set-Termin für die Presse zu den Dreharbeiten der 3. Staffel „Die LottoKönige“. Gedreht wurde in einem Mehrfamilienhaus in Köln-Stammheim. Foto: Waldemar Kobus (2014) — Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2726.jpg/1280px-WDR-Dreharbeiten_zu_%E2%80%9EDie_LottoK%C3%B6nige%E2%80%9C-2726.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/waldemar-kobus