"Tatort" star Harald Krassnitzer turns 60. The Austrian actor reveals in an interview how he wants to spend his special day.
Harald Krassnitzer (60, "Die Dickköpfe") has been slipping into the role of Inspector Moritz Eisner for the Vienna "Tatort" since 1999. He has been assisted by actress Adele Neuhauser (61), alias Bibi Fellner, in Austro crime since 2011. Before he played his way into the hearts of "Tatort" fans, Krassnitzer already conquered as Dr. Justus Hallstein in the popular ZDF series "Der Bergdoktor".
The Austrian actor is celebrating his 60th birthday today, Thursday (September 10th). In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Krassnitzer revealed in advance how the artist, who was born in Grödig in the Salzburg region, spends his special day and whether he is already thinking about retirement.
On September 10th you will celebrate your 60th birthday. Do you have something special planned?
Harald Krassnitzer: Yes, I have planned something – namely nothing. I've never celebrated my birthday before. I'm very bad at it, as well as partying Christmas. These dates irritated me more and more because they are fraught with contradictions. At Christmas you always meet people full of tension, who are sitting together on December 24th in the race for the best present, completely exhausted, in order to finally find a moment of peace. Which usually doesn't work anyway because they're still so tense.
Plus, expectation is a thing. It usually goes wrong because everyone has a different idea. It's the same with birthdays. I always have the feeling that I force other people to be happy for me. Or have to share something with me. And this coercion is very uncomfortable for me. Of course, I'm still happy when I get messages.
So you are not a fan of birthday parties, not even surprise parties?
Krassnitzer: I just can't do much with it. That's why I decided this year, even though it's a milestone birthday, not to do anything. I have also expressly advised everyone not to plan a surprise party for me. I am happy when I have my peace and quiet on this day.
I will have a nice day with my wife. The more normal it is, the better. When she comes in the morning and says: "You haven't switched on the coffee machine yet." Or "Can you clear the dishwasher, please?" – Then it would be the best birthday present for me. Because it would express normality and that's something I want most.
But when other people celebrate their birthdays, do you already go?
Krassnitzer: Celebrating other people's birthdays is much better. Then you can think about what you can do to make the other happy. And thereby signaling to him that you really know him and that you appreciate that he is there. Personally, I find that much more exciting and beautiful.
"Tatort", "Das Traumschiff" or "Der Bergdoktor" – you have played in many cult series and series. Is there one on your list that you would like to be on?
Krassnitzer: No, to be honest not. The list is long, but I don't have a specific goal like playing in a new edition of "Game of Thrones" or something. I have a completely different goal, but I cannot reveal it. Because I firmly believe that everyone should have a few secrets – wishes or longings. That's how beautiful energy flows. It also means that you actually implement one or the other.
However, the more you talk about these desires, the less they take place because they simply lose energy. It's like an air mattress. When you open the plug, the air escapes and at some point the air mattress is empty. And that's exactly why I keep my air mattress very tight.
What else is on your bucket list?
Krassnitzer: An author whom I appreciate very much recently said a very fitting sentence: "Seeing the sun rise on a cold autumn day and for seconds feeling like it's summer." Waiting for this lukewarm gust of wind – that's one of my plans. That moment when you think it's going to be cold, but then a breeze comes around the corner that makes you believe summer. Though you know winter is just around the corner. Those are more of the things that are on my list.
At 60, the first voices regarding retirement will be loud. Have you already thought about it?
Krassnitzer: No. I'm far too curious for that. I also don't think there can be such a thing as retirement right now. When you know that you have lived the majority of your life very well and that it is actually up to our generation to make this good life possible for the next generation. And not just leaving a huge pile of broken glass on the world. That is why you should contribute something so that young people also have a perspective and a future.
So I don't see anything like retirement yet. I don't have a stamp collection or any other collection that needs to be sorted out. That's why the question doesn't arise for me either. And just hanging out on golf courses and having a drink with friends – that wouldn't be enough for me.