RIP Matthias Wendlandt

 

"Hello Dad. Why don't you shoot Karl May!" – Matthias Wendlandt has died unexpectedly

Karl May & Co.

By Michael Kunz

May 31, 2026

 

Matthias Wendlandt is dead. The Berlin producer died unexpectedly on Friday during a stay in Los Angeles, shortly before his 74th birthday on June 2.

Since the death of his father Horst in 2002, Matthias Wendlandt has been managing the business of Rialto Film, together with his son Felix. He himself became legendary in the early 60s in a newsreel when he went to his father with a cowboy hat on his head and formulated the legendary request: "Hello Daddy. Why don't you shoot Karl May!"

Later, he didn't want to remember the truth of the moment for sure, but with a smile he thought it was quite possible. He worked as an actor and cinematographer before moving into the producer's chair. Matthias Wendlandt is in the credits of films such as "Troublemakers", the last joint western of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, "Palmetto" and the Winnetou three-parter from RTL.

When it came to Karl May, he was always welcome as an interview guest, supported the group of Berliner Filnfreunde (KMFF) in many projects and in this way also KARL MAY & Co. on several occasions.

On May 2, he had attended the latest event of the Film Friends, who were shocked by the bad news. He had flown to California the next day. His return flight was planned for this weekend in view of his birthday and that of his sister on June 1. Now he has not returned to Germany. Matthias Wendlandt is survived by his wife Rosi, the aforementioned son Felix and daughter Laura.

WENDLANDT, Matthias

Born: 6/2/1952, Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Died: 5/29/2026, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Matthias’ Wendlandt’s westerns – producer, himself

Troublemakers – 1994 [producer]

In the Footsteps of Winnetou (TV) – 2004 [himself]

Lex Barker Documentary – 2010 [himself]

Bud's Best - Die Welt des Bud Spencer – 2012 [himself]

85! Das Bud Spencer Spezial (TV) – 2014 [himself]

Winnetou: the Myth Lives (TV) – 2016 [producer]

The Terence Hill Story – 2019 [himself]

Lex Barker – Western Hero and Playboy – 2023 [himself]