His current role has given Uwe Ochsenknecht something to think about. A GALA interview about mistakes, women – and how he feels as a grandfather of five.
Uwe Ochsenknecht, 68, actually prefers to leave making private matters public to the rest of the family. It is all the more surprising how open the actor is in an interview with GALA on Mallorca. His role in the film “The Irony of Life” also prompted him to question his life. Ochsenknecht plays Edgar, an egocentric comedian who likes to admire himself – and only when his ex-wife becomes terminally ill does he realise what really matters in life.
Uwe Ochsenknecht in GALA interview
GALA: What do you think in the morning when you look in the mirror like Edgar?
Uwe Ochsenknecht: I’m doing even better than him. I’m very happy with myself. With my appearance and also with my insides. Yes, I make the most of what is possible at my age. And that’s fun. That’s how I start every day on a positive note! That doesn’t mean that I now consider myself the greatest guy in the world. But I’m happy with myself. And I think that when you are like that, it also influences many other areas of your life.
Do you consider yourself vain?
Absolutely, but within healthy limits. I’m not a rooster.
Are actors more at risk of being narcissistic?
I think so, because we are very concerned with ourselves. It has to be that way. Because with every role you ask yourself: Do I have a corner like that inside me? Thank God, most of the time not. But you are very concerned with yourself.
Does this help to understand each other better?
Yes, self-reflection is a good thing, especially when coupled with honesty, towards yourself and others. Sometimes, after an evening with friends, I go home and think that I might have hurt someone with my words. Then I call the person the next day and sort it out. Things aren’t spoken about enough anyway.
Is your wife Kiki a corrective?
Yes, she is very sensitive.
Uwe’s entire life experience is reflected in his current role
The film is also a plea for love.
Absolutely. Edgar also has new insights and doesn’t want to talk about them because he thinks it’s too late. But it’s never too late. He finally feels what love feels like, starts to learn from his ex-wife and takes so much with him for his own path. It’s a film about learning and moving forward.
Did you have to be almost 70 to get such a serious role?
Well, I’ve always played serious roles. At my age, you have a lot of life experience, at best, appropriate to your age. This is naturally reflected in your charisma, in your multifaceted nature, you have more depth. When, if not now? I put all my experience and a bit of talent into it.
The film screams for you to question your own life. Have you done that?
Oh yes. Again and again. Unlike Edgar.
That was the best decision of his life
And what would you have done differently from today’s perspective?
I don’t think so. In situations in my life I have always behaved according to my abilities at the time. That’s why I don’t even want to talk about mistakes, because I have learned from them. I have always strived to develop myself further and to improve myself.
What was the best decision of your life?
All the decisions I have made in my life so far have led me to the life I am living now. In that sense, no decision was the best or the worst.
To what extent did your childhood shape your life?
I was often left to my own devices, and perhaps even mentally neglected. I never knew the feeling of being looked after, protected, and given self-confidence, even though my parents certainly did their best and looked after me. That’s why I fled into my own world, went to the theater as an extra at an early age, and loved the colorful, tolerant life there.
Uwe Ochsenknecht about his children: “My door is always open”
What is your relationship with your children?
I have good contact with everyone. I tried to be there for them with advice and support, to give them help. At some point I realized that they no longer needed or wanted that and I said: do your thing, be happy, my door is always open. The certainty of being there for each other is a wonderful feeling.
What do you think about the documentary “These Ochsenknechts”?
Well, I won’t go into detail. The fact is: I’m not there. But it’s actually a compliment for me that my last name is apparently a brand and works even when I’m not there.
About age and transience
Have you just become a grandfather for the fifth time?
Yes, I’m slowly losing track. (laughs) The image of grandpa has changed a lot. It’s sweet when the children say: “Grandpa, come here.” But I also feel 50 years older. (laughs) I look forward to seeing Wilson with his family and newest grandchild soon.
As you get older, do you become more concerned with transience?
I am very interested in medicine. Not because I am afraid of illness, but because I want to know what I can do to stay healthy and fit for a long time. There are so many options and I regularly find out about them and do what I can. It works quite well. If I weren’t an actor, I would be a doctor or alternative practitioner.
How old do you want to be?
Well, as far as the world situation is concerned, I would like to die tomorrow. Nonsense, I don’t care about the number, but as long as I can, as long as I feel good at 67, I want to live and enjoy life.
And what will your own funeral look like in many years?
Burn and into the sea – back where we came from.