When an actor celebrates a milestone birthday, it's always nice when companions and friends send their congratulations in the newspaper.
But sometimes it happens that you only get rejections.
No time, no desire, no, TV star x or y doesn't do that, they say.
When we asked Heiner Lauterbach's colleagues for small, fine congratulations on his 70th birthday this Monday - we received a hail of promises.
And what kind of!
From Uwe Ochsenknecht, who was one of the two “men” in the cult film of the same name that helped Heiner Lauterbach break through, to Gudrun Landgrebe, with whom the birthday boy had one of the most enchantingly funny sex scenes in German film history (“Rossini”), everyone was there right away.
That certainly says something about Lauterbach, to which BR also dedicated a very nice "life line" portrait on Monday.
“Youth is not a stage of life, it is a state of mind.
It is momentum of will, activity and imagination, strength of feelings, victory of courage over cowardice, triumph of adventure over laziness” (Albert Schweitzer).
And you have all that, dear Heiner.
Happy Birthday, my faithful friend.
– Uwe Ochsenknecht (67)
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Real "men": Lauterbach and Ochsenknecht.
© dpa Picture Alliance / United Archives / Impress
Dear Heiner, on your 70th birthday we give you a big hug and cheer you up!
You have already played so many great roles in your life (of course we think first of our papa Hartmann from "Welcome to the Hartmanns"), but the most beautiful role that you don't play, but live and are 100 percent - is yours Role as father and husband.
Nice that you have found this wonderful happiness... You are a unique gentleman, friend and actor, a real guy, as one would have said in the past, and we wish you many more great, curious, healthy years and your audience many more great films with you!
– Senta Berger (81), Michael Verhoeven (84) and Simon Verhoeven (50)
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Real friends: Senta Berger with her husband and son.
© Gnoni Press
Dear Heiner, I would like to congratulate you on your estimated 50 years of recognizable talent, sex appeal (I can say that as a lesbian) and professionalism that has grown steadily because it has been honestly worked out.
And to the fact that you are still able to save part of your youthful audacity in your present serious professional practice.
I'm drinking a herbal tea for you today!
–
Maren Kroymann (73)
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Jumping fun with Maren Kroymann.
© WOLFGANG ENNENBACH
Dear Heiner, the most reliable thing about getting older is that you can't believe it.
I just don't think you'll be 70 today.
There's no reason to be: you're as quick as pie and on your feet as ever, you laugh at all the nonsense in this world like you always did, you love your job and are friendly to your colleagues * inside - so what should be?
Yes, there is something: a long-standing friendship and solidarity and the deep understanding that being able to play and invent stories together is one of the most beautiful things in the world.
In the sandbox of our imagination we are ageless.
– Doris Dorrie (67)
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Confidants: Doris Dörrie shot "Men".
© Soeren Stache
My first day as a director was also my first day of shooting with Heiner Lauterbach ("The Blind Spot", 2013).
He was 60 and a real movie star.
I was 30 and at the very beginning of my career.
Nevertheless, he gave me a chance, supported me and always stood by me - and believe me, it was anything but easy in Mexico, India or Morocco.
And that's the Heiner I love and respect so much - a generous, smart person who's always there for his friends.
This is the Heiner we're celebrating and celebrating today - Happy Birthday!
I wish you continued health, love, happiness and success!
– Daniel Harrich (39)
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The director and author Daniel Harrich.
© BR
Dear Heiner, I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart on, please, 70.???
Unbelievable.
"Men", the (!) film of the eighties, is supposed to be almost 40 years ago?
You were 33 (I was two years younger) and the best, funniest and coolest playmate anyone could ask for.
And you stayed.
I know that because we've played together a number of times over the past few decades.
And it was always the same as it was then: relaxed, friendly, trusting.
So let yourself be celebrated, old warhorse and enjoy the days with the people you love.
Thinking of you and looking forward to seeing you again... as Julius and Paula?
On a leash?
Who knows.
– Ulrike Kriener (68)
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"A Strange Couple" with Ulrike Kriener 2004.
© ddp images
Dear Heiner, for the first time I saw you driving with Uwe Paternoster from the cinema seat.
A few years later we stood - no, we lay together in front of the camera, and Jan Josef's threatening appearance prompted you to write the exceptional text that did not come from the authors' pen: "Now go downstairs, that's no use." ("Rossini ", 1997) A poison gas attack in the Vienna Opera was later the trigger for another inspiring encounter ("Opera Ball", 1998).
And as if the paternoster had done a somersault, you'll be seventy!!
I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart and wish you a wonderful life with those you love and who love you.
– Gudrun Landgrebe (72)
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Wonderful almost sex: with Gudrun Landgrebe.
© ullstein picture - United Archives
Heiner and I have known each other since "Superweib" (1996).
He won my heart back then with his cheeky, wonderful sense of humor and his straightforwardness.
Since then, countless films and a crisis-proof friendship have connected us.
Heiner never grows old because he is curious, courageous and fearless.
I congratulate you today with all my heart, my friend.
– Veronica Ferres (57)
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"Superwoman" and friend: Veronica Ferres.
© Constantine
by Stefanie Thyssen, Katja Kraft, Astrid Kistner
