Manfred Steffen

Manfred Ludolf Steffen (28 June 1916 - 22 January 2009) was an actor in many German television programs and was the narrator of Thomas &amp; Friends from the first - fifth series from 1996 to 1997 and 2000, the CD release of Calling All Engines! and the first six Europa audiobooks of Thomas & Friends in Germany from 2005 to 2006. He also narrated additional lines for three audiobooks released by Karussell in 2001.

He was best known for appearing in various German television shows and films, such as "Der Nachlaß", "Hoopers letzte Jagd", "Miss Milly Mill", "Heimatgeschichten", and "Frau Luna". He is also known for voicing Henry Travers from "It's a Wonderful Life", Peter Cushing from "From Beyond the Grave", Noah Beery Jr. from "The Rockford Files", Mr. Hooper from "Sesame Street", and Gustav from "Felidae".

From 1968 to 2006, he wore the "Albert-Bozenhard-Ring", the award for the "best and most worthy" actor of the Thalia Theatre in Hamburg.

He was planned to continue narrating the show in 2005 with the eighth series but declined due to his old age, even though he still continued to narrate the audiobooks. He retired from narrating Thomas altogether in 2006 at the age of 89, he was succeeded by Sky du Mont from the eighth series onwards.

Steffen died on 22 January 2009 in Halstenbek, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany at the age of 92.

Manfred Steffen