Luxembourg actor Fernand Fox dies at the age of 90

Famous for works such as "Déi Zwee vum Bierg" and "Rusty Boys", as well as numerous adverts, Fox was one of Luxembourg's most well-known faces.

The actor passed away at the age of 90 on Monday 23 September 2024, representing a devastating loss for Luxembourg's cultural scene. Known colloquially as Foxe Fern, the acting great appeared on stage and screen throughout his long career, which spanned over five decades.

Talented from an early age

Fernand Fox was born on 26 January 1934 in Bollendorf-Pont, where he eventually joined a youth drama group and even dabbled in directing. He later moved to Luxembourg City, where he was drawn to the theatre and dreamed of standing on the big stage one day.

In 1956 he was offered the chance by his employer, Interbank, to perform in a show marking the bank's centenary at the capital's casino. Among those involved with the performance was Eugène Heinen, the initiator and director of "Ensembel Les Compagnons de la Scène", which later became the Luxembourg theatre. He picked up on Fox's talent immediately and engaged the young man for his future productions. Fox went on to undertake diction and dramatic arts courses, which led to his national career taking off. He appeared in numerous theatre productions and shows, winning over the public with his comedic talent and his ability as a singer, as well as an actor.

Following his passion

In search of new challenges, Fox eventually parted with Heinen and moved on to Tun Deutsch's Casemates theatre, where he appeared in the 1975/76 season of "Die Emigranten". This production represented both his greatest success and his greatest challenge in theatre, and remained close to his heart all his life. During his stint at the theatre, Fox proved his ability to take on serious roles as well as tragicomic ones, for example, in Pol Greisch's plays such as "Grouss Vakanz" (1980).

Despite increasingly good reviews, Fox remained an amateur actor during this period, working both at the bank or at Arbed during the daytime, and attending rehearsals or performing in the evenings.

In a 2014 RTL interview, Fox reminisced over this time in his life:

"I was young but I didn't dedicate much time to my youth. When other people my age were going out, I would leave work at 6pm, quickly eat at home, then go to rehearsals at 7pm. These frequently lasted until 10 or 11pm. We'd often go for a drink afterwards, resulting in plenty of late nights. I slept very little in those days, maybe five hours a night, not getting to bed until 1 in the morning. We were performers, yes, but as amateurs, we also had jobs. Of the whole troupe there was not a single person who didn't have a day job as well."

Gaining a new audience 

Fox gained further recognition for his television work, including sketches on the "Hei Elei Kuck Elei" programme, as well as adverts alongside Marc Olinger, which eventually became cult favourites. He later described it as a little sad that his television sketches received more attention than his theatre performances.

"It's more of an achievement to do theatre, especially whole plays, than a very brief sketch on TV. So I always found it a bit frustrating that I spent a decade in theatre, playing lead roles virtually from the start, but remained unknown outside of theatre audiences. But after barely half a year on television, suddenly people started recognising me on the street. It's a shame this only happens after being on TV rather than as a result of theatre accomplishments."

Fox also starred in a number of RTL film productions, notably in the film "Déi Zwee vum Bierg".

Active in later years

Another role towards the end of Fox's life was that of landlord at Limpertsberg's Theaterstuff pub, where he worked behind the bar with his life partner Carlo Fetler until 1990, encouraging cultural discussions over drinks, and presenting cabaret shows.

Fox continued to appear on stage until 2017, participating in numerous productions such as the Fräie Vollekstheater ensemble alongside Marc Olinger, Luc Feit and Josiane Peiffer, directed by Frank Feitler. He continued his film work with appearances in Andy Bausch productions, culminating in 2017's  "Rusty Boys".

De Fernand Fox op der Avant-Première vum Film "Rusty Boys" vum Andy Bausch am Januar 2017. / © Pressfoto

"I chose to stop performing because I didn't want the stress anymore, the rehearsing and so on," he explained. "But I'm very happy with my career, even though I didn't work internationally and I wasn't a professional actor as such. I had such a great life and I could perform as much as I wanted, I did a little bit of everything - cabarets, movies and so on. I am completely happy with the life and career I've had."

Fox was privately known as a jovial, sociable and amusing fellow, who enjoyed a drink and a smoke. He lived much by the insurance advert catchphrase he became known for over the years: "Zu gudder Lescht, dach dee Bescht" - in the end, it was the best.

RTL sends our most heartfelt condolences to his family.