1. Overview
Christiane Hörbiger (Christiane HörbigerGerman, October 13, 1938 - November 30, 2022) was a prominent Austrian stage, film, and television actress, and also a voice actress. Throughout her extensive career, she became widely recognized for portraying strong, self-conscious women who faced and overcame challenging circumstances. Her notable roles included Countess Christine von Guldenburg in the television series Das Erbe der Guldenburgs and the title character in the Austrian television series Julia - Eine ungewöhnliche Frau. Hörbiger was a beloved figure among audiences and received numerous international awards for her contributions to the arts.
2. Life and career
Christiane Hörbiger's life and career were deeply intertwined with the world of acting, stemming from a distinguished family background and evolving through significant contributions to theatre, film, and television.
2.1. Childhood and family
Christiane Hörbiger was born in Vienna, Austria, on October 13, 1938. She was the second of three daughters born to the renowned Austrian actors Attila Hörbiger (1896-1987) and Paula Wessely (1907-2000). Her sisters were Elisabeth Orth and Maresa Hörbiger, both of whom also pursued acting careers. Christiane Hörbiger was also the aunt of German actor Christian Tramitz, further cementing her family's legacy in the performing arts.
2.2. Education and early acting
Initially, Christiane Hörbiger's mother wished for her to pursue a different path, leading her to train as a pastry maker (ZuckerbäckerGerman), and her parents even purchased a Konditorei (pastry shop) for her. However, in 1955, she decided to follow in her family's footsteps and pursue an acting career. She briefly attended the prestigious Max Reinhardt Seminar but left the same year to take on her first major film role as Mary Vetsera in Kronprinz Rudolfs letzte Liebe. Her stage debut at the Burgtheater in Vienna in 1959, where she played Recha in Lessing's Nathan der Weise, received harsh critical reviews. Following this, she moved to the Theater Heidelberg for two years. Her performance as Lottchen in Raimund's Der Bauer als MillionärGerman at the Salzburg Festival in 1961 marked her first time performing alongside her mother. Upon her return to the Burgtheater, reprising her role as Recha, she achieved critical success.
2.3. Theatre career
Hörbiger's theatre career was extensive and highly acclaimed. After her initial stint at the Burgtheater and Theater Heidelberg, she became a member of the Schauspielhaus Zürich from 1967 to 1985. During her time there, she excelled in a variety of classical roles, including Elisabeth in Schiller's Maria Stuart, and parts in plays by William Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov. She also performed in works reflecting the Vienna tradition by playwrights such as Johann Nestroy, Arthur Schnitzler, and Hugo von Hofmannsthal, in addition to contemporary theatre productions. From 1969 to 1972, she famously portrayed Die Buhlschaft in Hofmannsthal's Jedermann at the renowned Salzburg Festival, performing alongside Ernst Schröder in the title role.
2.4. Film and television career
Christiane Hörbiger's career saw her transition successfully into film and, particularly, television, where she gained widespread popularity. Beginning in the mid-1980s, she took on leading roles in various German and Austrian television series. One of her most memorable television roles was that of Countess Christine von Guldenburg in the series Das Erbe der Guldenburgs, which aired from 1987 to 1990. From 1999 to 2004, she starred as the title character, Judge Julia Laubach, in the popular Austrian series Julia - Eine ungewöhnliche Frau (Julia - An Extraordinary Woman).
In film, she achieved success with her role as Freya von Hepp in Helmut Dietl's 1992 satire Schtonk!, which centered on the forged Hitler diaries. Other notable film appearances include TafelspitzGerman, LamorteGerman (1997), and HungerGerman (1997). In 2008, she portrayed the vengeful Claire Zachanassian in Nikolaus LeytnerGerman's television film adaptation of Dürrenmatt's play Der Besuch der alten Dame. She also collaborated with her son, Sascha Bigler, who directed her in the 2011 drama film Meine SchwesterGerman, where she appeared alongside her sister Maresa for the first time. Sascha Bigler also directed one of her final works, the 2018 detective film Die Muse des MördersGerman. Hörbiger's only venture into voice acting was providing the voice for Mrs. Calloway, the dairy cow, in the German-language version of Disney's 2004 animated film Home on the Range.
2.5. Other activities
Beyond her acting roles, Christiane Hörbiger also contributed to the cultural and social spheres. In 1995, she served as a member of the jury at the 45th Berlin International Film Festival, an esteemed international film event. She was also a dedicated UNICEF ambassador, demonstrating her commitment to global children's welfare.
3. Personal life
Christiane Hörbiger's personal life included several significant relationships and a strong dedication to charitable endeavors.
3.1. Marriages and relationships
Christiane Hörbiger was married twice. Her first marriage was to director Wolfgang Glück. Her second husband was the Swiss journalist Rolf R. Bigler, with whom she had a son, Sascha Bigler. After Rolf R. Bigler's death in 1978, she found a long-term partner in Gerhard Tötschinger, a director and author, who passed away in 2016. Throughout much of her later life, Hörbiger primarily resided in Vienna.
3.2. Charitable activities and advocacy
Christiane Hörbiger was deeply committed to social causes. She served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actively supporting the organization's efforts to protect children's rights and provide humanitarian assistance worldwide. Additionally, she was a vocal advocate for cancer relief efforts, demonstrating her compassion and dedication to helping those affected by the disease.
4. Death
Christiane Hörbiger passed away in Vienna, Austria, on November 30, 2022, at the age of 84.
5. Awards and honors
Christiane Hörbiger received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her distinguished career, recognizing her outstanding contributions to acting and Austrian culture. These include:
- 1985: Bayerischer Filmpreis (Bavarian Film Award), Best Actress
- 1988: Goldene Kamera
- 1992: Romy as the most popular actress
- 1992: Bambi
- 1994: German Film Awards
- 1998: Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class
- 1999: Golden Medal of Honour for Services to the City of Vienna
- 2001: Adolf Grimme Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Julia - eine außergewöhnliche Frau
- 2001: Merit Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 2002: Karl Valentin Order
- 2002: Ernst-Lubitsch-Preis
- 2004: KammerschauspielerinGerman (Chamber Actress), an honorary title for distinguished actors in Austria and Germany
- 2008: Deutscher Vorlesepreis (German Reading Aloud Award) with the "Reading Tools" award for her merits as an audiobook spokeswoman
- 2009: Platinum Romy
- 2009: Bavarian Television Award - Special Award
- 2009: Gold Medal of the capital Vienna
6. Selected filmography
Christiane Hörbiger's extensive body of work includes numerous film, television, and stage productions:
- The Major and the Bulls (Der Major und die Stiere, 1955), as Marie
- Der Bauer als MillionärGerman (1961), as Lottchen (stage performance at the Salzburg Festival)
- Don't Get Angry (Mensch ärgere dich nicht, 1972), as Frl. Glöckner
- DonauwalzerGerman (1984, TV film), as Judith Lichtenberg
- Das Erbe der Guldenburgs (1987-1990, TV series, 41 episodes), as Countess Christine von Guldenburg
- Herr Ober!German (1961), as Frau Held
- Schtonk! (1992), as Freya von Hepp
- Back to Square One (Alles auf Anfang, 1993), as Lore Kuballa
- I Desire You (Ich begehre dich, 1995, TV film), as Alexandra Meyberg
- Alte Liebe - Neues GlückGerman (1996, TV film), as Marianne Mühlhuber
- LamorteGerman (1997, TV film), as Mona
- Julia - Eine ungewöhnliche Frau (1999-2004, TV series, 65 episodes), as Judge Julia Laubach
- Die GottesanbeterinGerman (2001), as Trixi Jancik
- Home on the Range (2004), as Mrs. Calloway (German voice)
- Der Besuch der alten DameGerman (2008, TV film), as Claire Zachanassian
- Meine SchwesterGerman (2011), as Katharina
- Oma wider WillenGerman (2012, TV film), as Henriette Dietrichstein
- Die lange Welle hinterm KielGerman (2012, TV film), as Margarete Kämmerer
- Die kleine LadyGerman (2012, TV film), as The Countess
- Schon wieder HenrietteGerman (2013), as Henriette Dietrichstein
- Die Muse des MördersGerman (2018), as Madeleine Montana