“Lacht auf, Verdummte dieser Erde.” Look at this house. Here, at Lohmeyerstraße 6, lived Wolfgang Neuss until his death. This Gedenktafel Wolfgang Neuss Plaque commemorates a truly unique figure.
Wolfgang Neuss was born in Breslau in 1923. He came to Berlin at the young age of 15. His life took a dramatic turn when he was drafted into the Reich Labor Service. In 1941 he fought as a soldier on the Eastern Front.
Imagine Neuss at the Eastern Front. To escape the horrors of war, he shot off his left index finger. This landed him in a military hospital. There, he discovered his talent for comedy. He entertained fellow patients with jokes.
After the war, Neuss returned to Berlin. He joined the “Reichs-Kabarett der Komiker” in 1945. Together with Wolfgang Müller, he formed the successful duo “Die zwei Wolfgangs.” They became famous as cabaret artists, film actors and pop singers. Müller’s tragic death in a plane crash in 1960 marked a turning point.
The Gedenktafel Wolfgang Neuss Plaque reminds us of his solo career. From the mid-1960s, Neuss became a popular and sharp-tongued cabaret artist. Known as the “Mann mit der Pauke”, he regularly performed at Haus am Lützowplatz.
Consider 1965. Neuss helped introduce East Berlin songwriter Wolf Biermann to West audiences through a joint program. The Gedenktafel Wolfgang Neuss Plaque also touches on his political engagement. Neuss sympathized with the student movement. He participated in demonstrations and actions. He became a target for the Springer press.
Neuss retreated from public life. But he made a comeback in the 1980s. He wrote columns for “taz” and “Stern”. He also performed on television. In 1983, he received the German Cabaret Award.
The Gedenktafel Wolfgang Neuss Plaque marks the home where he lived until his death in 1989. Neuss passed away after a long illness. He was buried next to Wolfgang Müller at the Waldfriedhof Zehlendorf. This was his wish.
Take a moment to appreciate this Gedenktafel Wolfgang Neuss Plaque. It is more than a memorial. It represents a comedian. He found laughter in the darkest times. He used humor to challenge society. Remember Wolfgang Neuss. Remember his sharp wit and his unique contribution to Berlin’s cultural landscape.