Pierre Brice, a French actor of great renown, made his entry into the world on February 6, 1929, in the picturesque city of Brest, located in the northwest of France. Before setting his sights on a career in the entertainment industry, Brice took the courageous step of enlisting as a volunteer in the French Army, where he played a pivotal role in the French military's involvement in the Indochina War. Having gained valuable life experience and a newfound sense of purpose, Brice subsequently turned his attention to the world of acting, undergoing rigorous training and honing his craft through the pursuit of acting lessons. His early forays into the industry ultimately led to his landing of a minor role in the 1955 film "Ça va barder", marking the beginning of a long and illustrious career in the world of cinema.
In the year 1962, a pivotal moment in the career of Brice occurred, as he was unexpectedly discovered by the renowned German producer Horst Wendlandt at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival. Wendlandt, in search of an actor to bring to life the iconic character of Winnetou, a Native American chief, in a Western film adaptation of the celebrated novels by Karl May, was immediately struck by Brice's uncanny resemblance to the character. Furthermore, his impressive acting abilities left no doubt in Wendlandt's mind that Brice was the ideal candidate for the role, ultimately leading to his casting as Winnetou.
Brice's illustrious acting career continued to flourish as he embarked on a remarkable journey of starring in a total of ten films in the iconic Winnetou series, alongside his esteemed co-star Lex Barker, who took on the role of the legendary Old Shatterhand.
These productions, which captivated the hearts of audiences in Germany, were met with unparalleled success, ultimately leading to Brice's widespread recognition and numerous accolades, including the prestigious Bambi Award and the coveted Golden Otto, bestowed upon him by the influential and popular teenager magazine "Bravo".
Brice's remarkable career, marked by a plethora of cinematic and television appearances, has cemented his legacy as an unforgettable actor, with his most enduring and iconic role being that of Winnetou, a character he not only portrayed on the big and small screens, but also breathed life into on the stage at the esteemed Bad Segeberg open-air theater.
