Elmar Wepper (1944-2023) passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest, leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken. His brother, Fritz Wepper, expressed his profound sorrow, while actress Uschi Glas mourned the loss of a cherished friend and colleague. The late actor was fondly remembered for his kindness and charm, often likened to the “Bavarian Robert Redford.” His widow, Anita Schierf, has slowly reintegrated into public life, finding solace amid her grief. Wepper, who married Anita late in life, celebrated the beauty of love and companionship.
Elmar Wepper (1944-2023), unlike his older brother Fritz, left this world without having suffered from severe health issues. He experienced a sudden cardiac arrest on October 31, 2023, while in excellent physical shape, leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken. His passing sparked a wave of fond tributes and reflections over the past year.
Brother Fritz: ‘I miss him dearly’
Fritz Wepper (1941-2024), who outlived Elmar by just five months, shared his poignant thoughts on the unexpected loss in ‘Bunte’: “It came out of nowhere, like a horrifying bolt of lightning.” He highlighted their strong brotherly bond right up until the end, saying, “I still had so much more to tell him. I miss him dearly.”
A ‘true friend’ remembered by Uschi Glas
Actress Uschi Glas (80), who starred alongside Elmar in various television series like ‘Zwei Münchner in Hamburg’, was also devastated. She described him as a uniquely kind individual, expressing her sorrow in ‘Bild’: “I am at a loss for words and deeply saddened.” Uschi reflected on their long working relationship and shared memories, saying, “Elmar was not just an important colleague, but a genuine friend to both my husband and me. I spent the most filming days with him throughout my career. My thoughts are with his wife, son, and grandchildren. Elmar truly cherished his family and his dog.”
In her upcoming memoir, ‘Ein Schätzchen war ich nie’, set to release in February 2024, Uschi begins with a quote she attributes to Elmar: “The crucial thing is what you do with your life. And love, my friend, is the most important thing.” She shared with ‘t-online’ that beginning her book with his words was her way of honoring him, calling him “not just a dependable colleague but also a good friend.” She emphasized his great respect for people, especially women, noting, “Working with him was always a pleasure.”
Admiration for the ‘Bavarian Robert Redford’
Uschi’s sentiments resonated with many of Elmar’s female colleagues. Posthumously, several revealed they had harbored feelings for the ‘Bavarian Robert Redford’.
Monika Baumgartner (73), known for her role in ‘Bergdoktor’ and a long-time collaborator, expressed her grief in ‘Bunte’: “Elmar’s passing saddened me; we shared a lengthy friendship.” She reminisced, “Like many women, I found myself enamored with him for a time.”
Michaela May (72), another long-time friend and co-star, echoed this sentiment during an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk’s ‘Abendschau’. She recalled their first film together in the early 1970s, remarking, “He was a gentle soul then… I fell for him, but he had a girlfriend. Despite that—perhaps because of it—our friendship remained profound until his passing.”
Widow Anita finds joy again
Michaela also shares a close bond with Elmar’s widow, Anita Schierf (65), who initially retreated from public life after his sudden passing. Struggling with her grief, she was unable to attend Fritz Wepper’s funeral in April. However, she re-entered the spotlight at the premiere of the social comedy ‘Die Kehrseite der Medaille’ in Munich at the end of May, accompanied by Michaela May.
According to ‘Bunte’, Anita appeared genuinely happy to receive warmth from the crowd. “I’m doing well,” she shared during the event. “I can go out among people again. My grief is no longer overwhelming.”
Elmar’s unexpected change of heart about marriage
Known in his later years as somewhat of a wedding grouch, Elmar married Anita in 2004 at the age of 59. Reflecting on his relationship just a few years before his death, he stated in an interview with ‘Bild’: “At the end of the day, love is between two people. It simply has to fit, and it does for us, and that’s all I want to say about it. It’s truly wonderful.”