Staatsschauspieler


The term state actor has had different meanings in recent German history. In Nazi Germany, it was the highest title that could be awarded to a stage actor. Since 1945, the meaning has changed. In Baden-Württemberg, it is no longer simply a title of honor, but an official position.

Nazi era

The honor of being a Staatsschauspieler, or State Actor, was awarded by Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda. It was a purely honorary title, which had no pecuniary benefits. The Nazi regime was invested in promoting the new medium of film to the public as means of propaganda, which is the reason that important stage actors were regularly used in film productions as well, making State Actors more popular to the general audience. Pure film stars, however, had no prospect of being awarded the title.

Bearer of the title in Nazi Germany (selection)

Federal Republic of Germany

Since the end of the Second World War the title of "state actor" is awarded by Berlin and Hamburg Senates, and by the states of Bavaria, Saarland and Baden-Württemberg.

Bearer of the Baden-Wuerttemberg title (selection)

Bearer of the Bavarian title (selection)

Bearer of the Berlin title (selection)

Bearer of the Saarland title (selection)