ZURICH:

Bruno Ganz, the Swiss actor who portrayed Adolf Hitler in Oscar-nominated film “Downfall” and the kindly grandfather in “Heidi”, died of cancer at his home in Zurich on Saturday aged 77, his agent said.

Ganz had been active in German language theatre, film and television for more than 50 years and was the holder of the IfflandRing, the most important award for German-speaking actors.

“One of the most important actors of our time goes, his brilliant work remains. We mourn with the family and friends of Bruno Ganz,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a tweet. (RTRS)