Wolfgang Bahro celebrates his 60th birthday today. In the interview he looks back on his "GZSZ" time as Jo Gerner.
For 28 years Wolfgang Bahro (60) can be seen as the villain Jo Gerner in "Gute Zeiten, Bad Zeiten". For many fans, the RTL series is completely unthinkable without the scheming lawyer. The actor is aware that the character has opened so many doors for him. In honor of his role and his 60th birthday today, Bahro published the biography "Gerner again and again – My life as the villain of the nation" (Riva Verlag) on September 15. What Jo Gerner taught him and why he wants to be as fit as comedian legend Dieter Hallervorden (85), Bahro reveals in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
Happy 60th birthday, Mr. Bahro! How are you going to celebrate this special day?
Wolfgang Bahro: Unfortunately, I can only celebrate it with my family and a few close friends. I would have liked to have had a big party and would have liked to invite many more people than I could now invite. But I am sure that it will be a nice birthday despite corona hygiene and distance rules.
Are you bothered by the number?
Bahro: I'm looking forward to it. You only turn 60 once. It also opens up completely new roles. Dieter Hallervorden is now playing wonderful serious and dramatic roles. And maybe I'll be able to switch to comedy.
What do you wish for your special day?
Bahro: There will be another film about me on TVNow, "We don't have any! – Happy Birthday Wolfgang Bahro". I hope that many will watch and that many will read my book. It would be nice if this becomes a bestseller. And of course, above all, I wish that I will get many exciting engagements in the future, safe and sound. My dream would be to star in a movie.
A milestone birthday is often an occasion to look back. Are you currently satisfied with everything?
Bahro: I am very satisfied. I am glad that I dared to take the step of "good times, bad times", even though I didn't really want to at the time. As for my career, I have no regrets. I am also particularly grateful that Dieter Hallervorden offered me the role of Charlie Chaplin two years ago, which was also a highlight of my career for me. A few days ago, Dieter celebrated his 85th birthday in the Schlosspark Theater Berlin with a premiere of the play "Gottes Lebenslauf", in which he plays God. I only thought that if I am still as fit as Dieter at the age of 85, then there will be a lot more to come.
For 28 years you have played the role of Jo Gerner in "Good Times, Bad Times". What is the quintessence of your new book "Immer wieder Gerner"?
Bahro: Basically it's about my career, but Jo Gerner has a big place in it. I've been playing this role for 28 years – that's quite a long time. The book is about stories of the character, how I came to her and what resulted from it. Through the role I got to know people who I might not have met at all, such as the Federal Chancellor or a Jogi Löw. But it's also about my theater career, as I got to know Dieter Hallervorden, my time in cabaret and my cinema experiences.
In public you are mainly perceived as Jo Gerner, less than Wolfgang Bahro. Do you mind?
Bahro: That annoyed me at first. But i can understand If you play a fictional character for years, it sticks in your head. But that has also improved a lot in recent years. More and more people speak to me on the street as Bahro and not Gerner, I'm happy.
What is the difference between you and your role?
Bahro: Everything, actually. Outwardly, I have a different hairstyle than Gerner. If I don't have to, I don't wear suits privately. The only thing we have in common is our love for children and that we are both family people. I always try to teach Jo Gerner a little humor and a wink, sometimes I succeed, but sometimes not.
What did your role teach you?
Bahro: That you shouldn't always put up with everything.
What has been your highlight so far at "GZSZ"?
Bahro: We had a Millennium episode when the year 2000 came upon us. It was about a character, a man who lived in a trailer by the water. A few musicians came by who not only had something to smoke with, but also a few cookies. Of course there was a certain substance in there. The man ate the cookies, fell asleep, and then dreamed of the musical "Hair". In his dream, all the characters he knew from his environment played along, only with completely twisted characters. The villain Jo Gerner was suddenly a hippie who was distributing flowers in the pedestrian zone and shouting "Make love, not war". That was a very funny story that was a lot of fun.
Which "GZSZ" farewell has taken you the most so far?
Bahro: Raúl Richter, who played my son Dominik, left me emotionally. I always saw my biological son David doing it. I imagined how I would react if my son was brain dead and I had to decide whether all devices were switched off and organs removed. When Gerner collapsed in the hospital, it was very emotional for me.
Have you ever thought of quitting yourself?
Bahro: Yeah, especially when the stories got so absurd that I said before the character was broken, I'd rather go. Thank goodness the production always talked to itself. I was also able to make changes and suggestions. I really didn't want to leave anymore. In "Gute Zeiten, Bad Zeiten" we are like a family, we grow together and always look forward to being able to shoot.
How are you dealing with the coronavirus pandemic on set?
Bahro: Fortunately, we only had a short break from shooting. At the moment filming is taking place under the normal hygiene and distance regulations. The scripts were all rewritten. There are touches, kisses and hugs currently, for example through flashbacks. There are also no more physical arguments. I recently had to do a stunt where a person should have attacked me. That didn't work, so he had to knock me over with the chair. But I think that looked very dangerous.
We have someone in the studio who just has to make sure that we all keep the safe distance. Those behind the camera all wear protective masks. This also applies to us, except when we are in the mask or in front of the camera.
Has it been harder for you to turn since then?
Bahro: It's exhausting because the shoots are delayed because of it. We've all gotten used to it, but it's a burden in a way. It is a challenge to be able to play emotions only with facial expressions without using the body. We all hope that we can get back to normal soon.