Bruno Ganz, an internationally renowned actor, died on February 16, 2019 at the age of 77. Born in 1941 in Zurich, Switzerland, Ganz began his stage acting career at the age of 17, and earned a degree in German and Romance languages at the University of Zurich in 1966. He began to direct plays during this time as well. Ganz is best known for his performance as the angel Damiel in Wings of Desire (1987). His performance of Adolf Hitler in Downfall (2004) is also well renowned, earning him best actor awards from the Bavarian Film Award and the German Film Award. Ganz's celebrated works also include TV roles in Die Dienstagsfrau (1993) and, more recently, Der Untergang (2016). He has appeared in more than 90 films, including The reader (2008), and was involved in recording children's books and several musical performances. Ganz is survived by his wife, actress Silvia Reize-Ganz, his daughter, Jessie Ganz, and his grandson.