Renowned Author and Filmmaker Georg Stefan Troller Passes Away

Georg Stefan Troller, an esteemed screenwriter, television journalist, and author, has passed away at the age of 103 in Paris. The news of his death was confirmed by multiple German media outlets, citing his family as the source. Troller, originally from Vienna, was recognized as a master of interview technique and contributed to various films, notably those directed by Axel Corti.

Born on December 10, 1921, Troller's early life was marked by upheaval. In 1938, he fled Austria, traveling through Czechoslovakia before reaching France, where he later emigrated to the United States. Tragically, 19 members of his family were victims of the Holocaust. In 1945, he served in the U.S. Army and participated in the liberation of Dachau concentration camp, an experience he later reflected upon in a documentary.

After World War II, Troller pursued higher education at the University of California and Columbia University in New York. He settled in Paris in 1949, transitioning into a career as a radio and then television reporter. His television series, including 'Pariser Journal' and 'Personenbeschreibung', established him as a prominent figure skilled in the art of interviewing, engaging with luminaries such as William Somerset Maugham, Edith Piaf, Anais Nin, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Throughout his prolific career, Troller created approximately 170 films and authored close to 20 books. He expressed a lifelong dedication to transforming life experiences into art. His screenwriting credits include several films directed by Axel Corti, including the 'Wohin und zurück' trilogy, which was based on his life story, as well as the adaptation of Robert Schindel's novel 'Gebürtig'.

In 2021, Troller published his memoir, 'Meine ersten 100 Jahre', wherein he chronicled his life experiences. His contributions to the field were recognized when he received the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria in 2017. Up until his passing, Troller continued to contribute as a columnist for the 'Literarische Welt'.