Jackie Chan’s German dubbing voice, Stefan Gossler, has died at the age of 70
Stefan Gossler, the German dubbing voice of Jackie Chan, has passed away at the age of 70. Gossler had been Chan’s regular German voice actor since RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (1995). Shortly before the German release of his last Chan work, THE SHADO’S EDGE (German title: Shadow Chase, 2025), scheduled for home cinema at the end of January 2026, we look back on 30 years of his chantastic performance.
Stefan Gossler was born on 14 December 1955 in Siegen, making him just one and a half years younger than Jackie Chan. While training as an actor from 1977 to 1980, he played various roles at Berlin’s Grips Theater. This was followed by further stage plays in Germany until Gossler made his first appearance as an actor on German television in 1984. His career as a voice actor began in 1982. In the course of his career, he became known as the voice of Tim Allen and Jackie Chan, as well as for his legendary performance as King Julien in the MADAGASCAR films.
After many different German voices for Jackie Chan in the 1980s and early 1990s – from Hans-Georg Panczak to Michael Nowka to Joachim Tennstedt and others – the talented Stefan Gossler achieved a coup with RUMBLE IN THE BRONX in 1995, which made him Jackie Chan’s regular voice actor for the next 30 years.
In fact, Gossler’s timbre was very similar to Jackie Chan’s actual voice. In addition, Gossler was able to convey Jackie’s often portrayed kindness with the sound of his warm voice.
Thomas Plum (writer, podcaster, voice actor)
I was about nine years old when I saw my first Jackie Chan film: TO KILL WITH INTRIGUE (German title: Der Herausforderer, 1977) with Matthias Haase, who only had this one role as the German voice of Jackie Chan. At the same time, Stefan Gossler voiced Keung (Jackie Chan) in the aforementioned RUMBLE IN THE BRONX. So I am part of a whole generation that grew up with Gossler’s portrayal of Jackie Chan. For me, Stefan Gossler is Jackie Chan. This is also confirmed by many comments under the current posts of mourning on social media.
The news of Stefan Gossler’s death was first shared on the morning of 20 January 2026 in Instagram stories posted by his friends and colleagues Sven Hasper and Peter Flechtner. Mr Flechtner posted the following:
While family, friends and colleagues mourn, the industry is already asking itself: Who will replace Stefan Gossler (if possible)? Even at over 70 years of age, Jackie Chan is still very active; three films are currently planned or under discussion for this year: ARMOUR OF GOD 4: ULTIMATUM, RUSH HOUR 4 and THE SHADOW’S EDGE 2. The two remaining Chan films, UNEXPECTED FAMILY and PANDA PLAN 2, will probably introduce the new dubbing voice in Germany.
For decades, Thomas Danneberg was the German voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example. In 2019, he was replaced by Bernd Egger. German fans found it difficult to get used to the change, as we Germans tend to be creatures of habit. Bernd Egger would be a candidate for the ‘new’ Jackie Chan, as would Matthias Keller.
At the same time, German dubbing actors have been campaigning for several months to prevent artificial intelligence from finding its way into German dubbing and acting culture. The issue is divisive. However, a certain sentimental aspect in me as a fan would like to see exactly that in the case of Stefan Gossler as the German Jackie Chan, while another, larger aspect, out of respect for human artistry, would not. How ironic it is that people argue emotionally when modern technology is used to try to keep the past alive, thus refusing to accept a certain degree of progress.
Rest in peace, Stefan Gossler! You are irreplaceable. Thank you for over 52 Jackie Chan films and 30 years of fantastic work. Your German-speaking fans will be eternally grateful to you.
