RIP Stefan Gossler

 

Born in Siegen, he was the voice of Jackie Chan, Tim Allen and Michael Keaton: Stefan Gossler died at the age of 70

Siegener-Zeitung

January 21, 2026

The German voice of Jackie Chan and King Julien is silent forever - after a long illness, a well-known voice actor has died.

Berlin – A heavy loss is shaking the film industry. A familiar voice from cinema and television has fallen silent forever. For decades, he lent his unmistakable voice to well-known figures without most viewers knowing his face. Colleagues and fans are shocked.

The man with this familiar voice was Stefan Gossler. The 70-year-old, who has lent his German voice to Hollywood star Jackie Chan (71) since the 1990s and remains unforgotten as King Julien from "Madagascar", succumbed to a lengthy illness. The Facebook account "Fox and the Crew – Inside Synchron" announced on Tuesday (January 20): "Stefan Gossler, an incredibly lovable person and wonderful dubbing actor has passed away."

Mourning for actor and voice actor Stefan Gossler: "Made us laugh"

Gössler's versatility was evident in his broad spectrum. In addition to his most famous roles, he also dubbed Tim Allen (72, including in "Santa Clause 3" and "Last Man Standing") and Michael Keaton (74). He was also active as an actor - in TV series such as "Die Wicherts von nebenan" (1986–1991) and "Der Landarzt" (1996–1999) as well as in the ARD "Tatort" (1984, 1996).

The news of his death triggered a wave of grief. Gaming creator Christienco pays tribute to him on Instagram: "He made us laugh, accompanied us and breathed life into characters that will forever remain part of our childhood." Fans in the dubbing forum react stunned: "My heart is breaking. It comes out of nowhere." Another user adds: "I thought he always gave Jackie Chan something nice, likeable."

Companions are also saying goodbye. Peter Flechtner (63), himself known as the German voice of Ben Affleck (53), shares a video of Gossler on his Instagram account and honors him with the words: "In memory of our dear and great colleague Stefan Gossler, who left us far too early yesterday." With his death, the German film world has once again lost an important personality – after it had already had to cope with another heavy blow of fate.

GOSSLER, Stefan

Born: 12/14/1955, Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Died: 1/19/2026

Stefan Gossler’s Westerns – voice actor:

Bonanza (TV) – 1967 [German voice of Michael Forest]

High Chaparral (TV) – 1968 [German voice of Denny Miller]

Glory - 1989 [German voice of Matthew Broderick]

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1970 [German voice of Sam Melville]

The Lone Ranger (TV) - 1953 [1990-1993 German voice of Russ Conway]

The New Adventured of Zorro (TV)- 1990 [German voice of Nicholas Guest]

Gettysburg – 1993 [German voice of Stephen Lang]

Zorro (TV) 1957-1959 [1994-1995 German voice of Guy Williams]

Balto – 1997 [German voice of Phil Collins]

Postman – 1997 [German voice of Tom Petty]

Rough Riders – 1997 [German voice of Tom Berenger]

The Will Rogers Story – 1952 [1997 German voice of Will Rogers Jr.]

Gunmen of the Rio Bravo – 1964 [1999 German voice of Guy Madison]

Shanghai-Noon – 2000 [German voice of Jackie Chan]

800 Bullets – 2002 [German voice of Enrique Martinez]

Lucky Luke (TV) – 2002 [German voice of Jolly Jumper]

And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (TV) – 2003 [German voice of Fernando Becerril]

Cosmic Cowboys (TV) 2003 [German voice of Liar]

Deadwood (TV) – 2004-2006 [German voice of Zach Grenier]

Shango – 1970 [2005 German voice of Maurice Poli]

Twilight Avenger – 1970 [2005 German voice of Sheriff Wilson]

Sukiyaki Western Django – 2007 [German voice of Quentin Tarantino]

True Grit – 2010 [German voice of Joe Stevens]

Blackthorn – 2011 [German voice of Stephen Rea]

Longmire (TV) – 2013 [German voice of Xander Berkeley]