André Hennicke (born September 21, 1959) is a German actor, director and producer. He is best known for playing General Wilhelm Mohnke in the 2004 film Downfall and many other TV productions. Hennicke was born in Johanngeorgenstadt (Saxony). He also has three sisters. When his father was chronically ill, his mother worked as a hatter. He finished his education with the completion of the 10th Working class, then he worked as a fireman in a cogeneration plant. He later completed his military service at the National People's Army. Prior to becoming an actor, he worked as a stocker and bricklayer. In 1978, André Hennicke tried to join the school of graphic design in Berlin, but is rejected because of his red-green color blindness. He later studied at the School of Film and Television in Potsda