Hans Meyer

Hans Meyer (21 July 1925 – 3 April 2020) was a prominent South African actor celebrated for his diverse roles in film and television. Born to German parents in Paulpietersburg, Natal Province, he initially worked as a model, gracing book covers until a friend in Germany introduced him to acting. His first notable appearance came in a Puschkin Vodka commercial, which propelled him to fame in Germany, earning him the nickname "Frank S. Thorn," the Puschkin Man. He made his film debut as an extra in Anatole Litvak's The Night of the Generals.

Throughout the 1960s, Meyer built a robust career in French cinema, sharing the screen with esteemed actors like Lino Ventura, Alain Delon, and Jean-Paul Belmondo. His notable performances included an SS officer in La grande vadrouille (1966) and Sheriff Blade in Les Étrangers (1969). In 1970, he portrayed Major Svedborg in the Western Cannon for Cordoba, and in 1975, he appeared in Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.

The 1970s marked a significant period for Meyer in television, particularly for his role as Hauptmann Franz Ulmann in the British series Colditz (1972–1974). He further showcased his talent in the mini-series Holocaust (1978) and the TV movie L'amie d'enfance (1981). His later appearances included roles in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and the cult classic Brotherhood of the Wolf. Meyer passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, at the age of 94, leaving behind a rich legacy in the performing arts.