Thorsten Hamer, a German actor born in 1982 in Solingen-Gräfrath, has died at the age of 43 on February 8, 2026. He gained widespread recognition for his authentic portrayal of comedian Heinz Erhardt, a role he performed since 2008 and which earned him praise, including from Erhardt's daughter. Hamer was also known for his television work, notably as the character Matti Steininger in the SAT.1 series "Die Landarztpraxis," appearing in 151 episodes. His family announced his passing with heartfelt tributes, and his agentur and SAT.1 also shared their grief. Hamer's career also included roles in "Notruf Hafenkante," "SOKO Wismar," and the film "Block 10." He had to abruptly halt filming for "Die Landarztpraxis" in 2025 due to illness.