The term state actor (in German: Staatsschauspieler) has had different meanings in recent German history. In Nazi Germany, it was the highest title that could be awarded to a stage actor. Since 1945, the meaning has changed. In Baden-Wuerttemberg, it is no longer simply a title of honor, but an official position.
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Nazi era
The honor of being a Staatsschauspieler, or State Actor, was awarded by Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda. It was a purely honorary title, which had no pecuniary benefits. Under the Nazis, important stage actors were always used in films - that should be upgraded in this way for the major media propaganda - were the winners of the audience on a regular basis as a film actor known. Pure film stars, however, had no prospect of being awarded the title.
Federal Republic of Germany
Since the end of the Second World War the title of "state actor" is awarded by Berlin and Hamburg Senates, and by the states of Bavaria, Saarland and Baden-Württemberg.