The passing of Hardy Krüger, known for his role in A Bridge Too Far as Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Karl Ludwig, has been announced by his family. Krüger, who also starred in The Flight of the Phoenix and Wild Geese, passed away at the age of 93 in California.
His agency’s statement remarked on Krüger’s unforgettable warmth, joie de vivre, and unshakable sense of justice. His sudden and unexpected passing occurred at his California residence on Wednesday, January 19.
Tributes have flooded social media, with one fan expressing, “One of Germany’s first movie heartthrobs passed away at 93. RIP Hardy Krüger.” BBC journalist Patrick Jackson also paid tribute, saying, “Thanks also for giving us the scariest officer ever in Barry Lyndon.”
Krüger made his film debut at the age of 15 and later fought in World War II, enduring heavy combat and facing a death sentence for refusing to attack US soldiers, a sentence later revoked by another officer. After his wartime experiences, Krüger vocally opposed extremism and championed democracy while continuing his acting career.
He eventually retired from acting in the 1980s and ventured into book writing, publishing 16 books, and directing travel documentaries. Krüger, married three times, leaves behind his widow, Anita Park, whom he married in 1978, and three children.