Ganz, who played Hitler in Downfall, dies aged 77

BRUNO Ganz, who portrayed Adolf Hitler in Oscar-nominated film Downfall, has died of cancer, aged 77.

The Swiss actor, pictured, died at home in Zurich on Friday night, his agent said.

Ganz came to the attention of international audiences in the 2004 film which dramatised the last days of the Nazi dictator in

1945. He said of the role: “Ultimately, I could not get to the heart of Hitler because there was none.” His award-winning career spanned 50 years and included theatre, film and television. German foreign minister Heiko Maas tweeted: “One of the most important actors of our times goes, his brilliant work remains.” Ganz was born in Zurich to a Swiss mechanic father and a Italian mother. He is survived by his estranged wife Sabrina Ganz, son Thomas and partner Ruth Walz.