Waltraut Haas passed away at 97 in Vienna: Farewell to a Film Legend

She will forever remain in the hearts of Austrians as Mariandl: Even though Waltraut Haas made around 70 films during her long career, it was this role in her debut film "Hofrat Geiger" in 1947 alongside Hans Moser that would indelibly shape her career. Now, Mariandl has passed away on Wednesday in the early morning hours at the age of 97 in Vienna, as her family announced.

"Despite all the endless grief, we are grateful that she had such a long life, was able to bring joy to so many people, and was also in relatively good physical condition until the end," said the bereaved in their communiqué, announcing a farewell in the closest family circle: "Besides her impressive career, she was above all one thing: a warm-hearted, humorous, and deeply lovable person."

With Haas, Austria loses one of the country's most beloved actresses, a grande dame of domestic film and theater, whose charming charisma, distinctive voice, and joyful nature touched audiences across generations. "Waltraut Haas was the Mariandl and the Rösslwirtin of the nation - and will remain so forever," it was stated in a press release.

Waltraut Haas Has Passed Away

In films like "Der Hofrat Geiger," "Mariandl," "Im weißen Rössl," or "Hallo Dienstmann," Haas became an icon of Austrian post-war cinema. Her long-standing collaboration with director Franz Antel particularly shaped an entire era of domestic filmmaking. Haas also repeatedly demonstrated her artistic versatility on stage, most recently for many years as part of the Wachaufestspiele Weissenkirchen. From 1966, Waltraut Haas was married to actor Erwin Strahl (1929-2011).

Waltraut Haas: Farewell in the Closest Family Circle

"Besides her impressive career, she was above all one thing: a warm-hearted, humorous, and deeply lovable person. The gap she leaves behind is large," said the family, who asked "for the necessary peace and privacy to mourn." The farewell will take place in the closest family circle at Waltraut Haas's request.

To this day, the charm of the actress, born on June 9, 1927, in Vienna as the daughter of a hotelier family, is legendary. However, the path to her profession was not easy. At her mother's request, Haas first attended a household school before completing the Conservatory for Performing Arts in Vienna and additionally taking private acting lessons with Burgtheater actress Julia Janssen.

The Theater Came Before Mariandl

The beginning of her career then led through the theater stages, with the Landestheater Linz, in Vienna the Bürgertheater, the Stadttheater and Raimund Theater, as well as in Germany the Titania-Palast Berlin or the Deutsche Theater München following. Then the discovery by Willi Forst was to mark the turning point: He cast her as Mariandl for his "Hofrat Geiger", which subsequently earned Haas several roles as a sweet Viennese girl.

Mentors and companions such as Paul Hörbiger, Curd Jürgens, Johannes Heesters, Franz Antel, Heinz Rühmann, and above all Hans Moser were to stand by the actress. In addition to her roles in "Mariandl", "Mariandls Heimkehr", "Hallo Dienstmann", "Kleiner Schwindel am Wolfgangsee", "Gruß und Kuß aus der Wachau" or "Keine Angst Liebling, ich paß schon auf" directed by her husband Erwin Strahl, Haas also recorded records, including "Im Weißen Rössl" and "Wiener Lieder".

"Now I Say It" as Memoirs of Waltraut Haas

This eventful life was described by Waltraut Haas in her 2018 memoirs "Now I Say It", in which she not only talks about experiences with Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn and especially erects a literary monument to her husband Erwin Strahl, with whom she had their son Marcus Strahl, now an actor and director. Despite her fundamental optimism, she also spoke of disappointments and defeats. As the genre of the lovable Heimatfilm and thus also her roles in works like "00Sex am Wolfgangsee" increasingly ended in shallow sex melodramas, Haas' path led back to the theater stages, where she mostly stood in the spotlight under the direction of her husband, who passed away in 2011.

In addition, the actress, who was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art in 2003 and the Golden Vienna Honorary Sign in 2010, discovered German-language television for herself. Most recently, in 2020, she was seen as a coma patient in Catalina Molina's "Das Glück ist ein Vogerl". Above all, Waltraut Haas remained always connected to the theater stage and was seen with the artist innkeepers Tamara Trojani and Konstantin Schenk in the Dinner Theater Schönbrunn or at the Wachaufestspiele.

Reactions from Politics to the Death of Waltraut Haas

Below is a selection of reactions to the death of the 97-year-old:

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ):

"With the death of Waltraut Haas, we lose a legend of Austrian film and theater. As Mariandl alongside Hans Moser and Paul Hörbiger, and as Rösslwirtin together with Peter Alexander, she conquered the hearts of the audience in a storm. With charm, wit, and her unmistakable naturalness, she provided unforgettable moments as a true audience favorite and touched and inspired generations of viewers."

Vienna's City Councillor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ):

"Waltraut Haas was not only a popular actress, but also a passionate ambassador of culture - she shone far beyond the Austrian borders with her performances, which she was able to fill with humanity and sensitivity."

ÖVP Culture Spokesperson Laurenz Pöttinger:

"With her, an era comes to an end. The grande dame of post-war cinema was a favorite with audiences across generations. Through her work in films like 'Der Hofrat Geiger' as 'Mariandl' and 'Im weißen Rössl' as the innkeeper, she achieved great fame and entertained people for more than half a century."

Green Party Culture Spokesperson Werner Kogler:

"With the death of Waltraut Haas, Austria loses an icon of domestic theater and cinema of the post-war era. Her versatile artistic work and personal charisma remain unforgettable. Alongside the mourning over her death, the memory of her great roles endures."

Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP):

"Waltraut Haas was not only an icon of Austrian cinema, but also a personality full of zest for life, warmth, kindness, and modesty. Generations of Austrians admired her for her acting skills and her lovable and unique charisma - whether as 'Mariandl' or later as the grande dame of the theater."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.