On stage, he portrayed the seductive Liliom, the mischievous Schwejk, and the tragic Professor Unrat. In films, he played both comedic and serious roles, and on television, he was the down-to-earth and likable country doctor for seventeen years. As colorful and versatile as his roles were, his character behind them was straightforward and direct. Walter Plathe - a true Berliner, a guy with heart and a sharp tongue, a popular actor who holds firmly to his credo: The heart of it all is the theater! His grandfather ran a private folk theater, but the family warned the young boy about the unpromising nature of the arts. Thus, he first trained as a pet shop salesman but ultimately devoted himself entirely to acting, saying: I had to choose between my love for animals and my passion for performance and play. With a lot of humor, Plathe shares his life story.