Actress Vera Borek dies in Vienna at the age of 85

Vera Borek, a renowned Austrian actress known for her long-standing role at the Vienna Volksoper, has died at the age of 85 after a brief hospital stay in Vienna. The death was confirmed by the APA on Sunday based on information from her family. Borek had made a lasting impact on Viennese stage life through her distinctive character portrayals over many years. She was married to Helmut Qualtinger from 1982 until his death in 1986. Born on September 20, 1940, in Breslau, she moved with her family to Vienna as a child. After attending acting school in Hanover, she worked in theaters in Bochum, Münster, Wiesbaden, and Hamburg before returning to Vienna professionally. She played a crucial role in the theater projects of Hans Gratzer at the Vienna Schauspielhaus and Michael Schottenberg with "Theater im Kopf." At the Vienna Volksoper, where she was part of the ensemble from 1976 to 2005, she performed roles such as Jenny in "The Threepenny Opera," Ada in "Zur schönen Aussicht," Valerie in "Stories from the Vienna Woods," and Marthe in "The Broken Jug." She frequently appeared in contemporary plays ranging from works by Werner Schwab to Gert Jonke and Elfriede Jelinek. Even after retiring, she continued to appear at the Volksoper, including as Claire Zachanassian in "The Visit" in 2007 and Sister Rosa in the stage version of Pedro Almodóvar's "All About My Mother" in 2009. In 2014, she appeared as Fräulein Dr. von Zahnd in Dürrenmatt's "The Physicists" during Schottenberg's final season at the Volksoper. She also appeared regularly on television, notably in series such as "Tatort," "Kommissar Rex," and "Der Bulle von Tölz." Xaver Schwarzenberger cast her in "Vino Santo" (1999), bringing her back to the big screen, where she had previously been seen in Maximilian Schell's "Stories from the Vienna Woods" (1979) and Helmut Käutner's "Mulligan's Return" (1977). She briefly appeared at the Josephstadt Kammerspiele in "Everyday Stories." In 2017, Vera Borek was honored as "Actress of the Year" by the ORF radio play jury. This recognition was given for her lifetime achievements and recent work. At the 2018 radio play gala, the panel praised her linguistic artistry, noting her reflective approach to language and keen sense of form. One review in the "Presse" once stated that Borek gave shape to countless bizarre characters, women, men, and children, captivating audiences with her rough, scratchy, defiant, and threatening voice. In 2010, she received the Golden Merit Award of the City of Vienna at the city hall. Vienna’s mayor, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), stated that with Vera Borek, a great actress who had contributed an unmistakable signature to Vienna's cultural life over several decades has passed away. Vienna's culture councillor, Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ), noted that Borek was an extraordinary actress whose stage presence and unique style will remain unforgettable for generations of theatergoers. Borek met Helmut Qualtinger in Hamburg in 1969 and married him in 1982. She often performed readings of his texts, which were central to her career. Qualtinger, who died in 1986, was a multifaceted artist, actor, and writer. Borek, known for her distinct voice and performances, left behind a legacy of memorable roles and contributions to both stage and screen. Her death marks the end of an era in Viennese theater, where her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.