Andreas Schmidt-Schaller

From stagehand for a local German theater to renowned television personality, Andreas Schmidt-Schaller ascended the acting ranks to become one of the most recognized names in the business. Born in Anstadt, Germany in 1945, Schmidt-Schaller studied at the Theatre Academy in Leipzig during the 1960s before landing his first television part in 1973. Cast in a minor role in the long-running German police drama "Polizeiruf 110," the actor might not have guessed that he would become identified with the series for the next 38 years -- but, in fact, he would portray policeman Thomas Grawe on "Polizeiruf 110" off and on until 2011. A regular role on the 1989 adventure series "Flugstaffel Meinecke" further increased the actor's visibility, and gave him the opportunity to branch out into other roles, though he frequently portrayed policemen and doctors. The following decades found Schmidt-Schaller making appearances on such popular programs as "Wolff's Turf," "Tatort," and "Der Clown" before landing the second iconic role of his career in 2001 when he signed on to play Hajo Trautzschke in the detective series "SOKO Leipzig." Throughout his successes in television, the former stagehand continued to work on the stage as well, and in the 1990s operated a puppet theater for children.