Johannes Gaan Actor
Since my near-death experience at age 19, my life has been defined by the search for deeper meaning.
Acting became my most direct way of coming to terms with being human—exploring the emotions within me and bringing them to life. During my training in Vienna, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. I quickly found an agent and landed my first roles on TV and stage, working alongside my idols. Some called me a "rising star." I was living what I believed was my dream.
But beneath the surface, something wasn't right. The deeper I ventured into the industry, the more disillusioned I became. I saw behind the curtain and started questioning everything. Why am I doing this? What does this all mean? What is this for? The passion that had burned so brightly began to flicker—and this bewildered me.
By 30, I realized I couldn't continue. Without a plan, I walked away from the city, the industry, and the identity I'd built. I didn't know what lay ahead, only that I needed something different. I needed to discover myself.
Since then, I've grown immensely. I've also gazed deeply into the darkness. I lost my best friends to cancer. I battled severe depression. I immersed myself in healing—deep, raw, uncomfortable healing. My life transformed so profoundly that I trained as a somatic trauma therapist and began guiding others to uncover their authentic selves beneath the roles they play.
That work cracked me open and brought me back to myself.
Now I'm returning as a different person. I've lived, faced my shadows, and emerged freer, more alive, yet more humble. Acting is no longer about being seen—it's about playing, exploring, expressing, and telling stories that matter.
I'm very curious to discover how these past years have shaped me as an artist - and I would love a "comeback".
Overview
NationalityAustria, Germany
LanguagesGerman (mother tongue), Chinese – Mandarin (fluent), English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), French (good), Italian (good)
Born1984, Wels, Austria, Upper Austria
Age range28 - 45
Height174 cm
Ethnic typesMiddle Europe
Place of residenceZürich - Zurich (Switzerland), Zürich - Zurich (Switzerland)
Possible accommodationBerlin - Berlin (Germany), München - Bavaria (Germany), Hamburg - Hamburg (Germany), Paris - Île de France (France), Milano - Lombardy (Italy), Genf - Geneva (Switzerland), Zürich - Zurich (Switzerland), London - England (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Wien - Vienna (Austria), Rom - Latium (Italy), Lissabon - Lisboa (Portugal)
MembershipsBFFS - Bundesverband Schauspiel (Germany)
Akademie des österreichischen Films (Austria)
Contact
Skills/Talents
Languages German (mother tongue), Chinese – Mandarin (fluent), English (fluent), Spanish (fluent), French (good), Italian (good)
Dialects Upper Austria (native dialect), Viennese (good), Transylvanian (basic)
Accents Austrian German (native accent), American (very good), English (very good), German (very good), Chinese (good), Saxon (basic)
Dance Waltz (good)
Singing. Stage singing (good), Traditional folk (good), Opera (basic)
Vocal pitch / Dubbing voice High baritone
Musical instruments Piano (basic)
Sports Jogging (very good), Skiing (very good), Snowboarding (very good), Rugby (good), Scuba Diving (good), Squash (good), Swimming (good), Tennis (good), Thai Boxing (good), Yoga (good), Golf (basic), Horseback Riding (basic), Water Skiing (basic)
Driving licences / Other permits Driver’s licence car
Other Skills First Aid, Translator
Appearance
Age range 28 - 45
Height 174 cm
Build Athletic
Colour of eyes Blue
Colour of hair Salt-and-pepper
Twin No
Ethnic types Middle Europe
Training
Schauspielschule Krauss
Coachingteam Frank Betzelt
mehrere Seminare mit Frank Betzelt und Teresa Harder
The Acting Corps
focus on Meisner training
CV CV - Television & Streaming CV - Film CV - Theatre CV - Audio CV - Other
CV - Television & Streaming
2013
The Quest
Quest Television, LLC
Network/Distributor: ABC (USA)
Television series
Fantasy, Mystery
Bertram van Munster
Directed by
Ansgars Guard
Guest Role
2013
Soko Kitzbühel
Beofilm
Network/Distributor: ORF / ZDF
Martin Kinkel
Directed by
Josef Neumann
Supporting Lead
2013
Karl der Große
pre tv österreich
Network/Distributor: ORF/ARD
Television film
Period drama
Gabriele Wengler
Directed by
Bruder Johannes
Supporting Lead
2013
SOKO Donau
Satel Flm
Network/Distributor: ZDF, SF, ORF
Television series
Manuel F. Hendry
Directed by
Niklas
Star of Episode
2013
"Copstories"
Gebhardt Productions
Network/Distributor: ORF
Television series
Paul Harather, Christopher Schier, Barbara Eder
Directed by
Laurenz Kanter
Star of Episode
CV - Film
2013
Clara Immerwahr
MARANfilm/MRfilm
Feature film (cinema)
H. Sicherits
Directed by
Small Role
2013
Morgengrauen
Eigenproduktion für HFF München
Short film
Aaron Arens
Directed by
Er
Lead
2012
War's gut?
Selikovsky-Film
Short film
Nikolai Selikovsky
Directed by
Marco
Lead
2012
Chinamüll
Filmakademie Wien
Short film
Jannis Lenz
Directed by
Lead
2012
The Coat
New Europe Cinema
Short film
Peter Magat
Directed by
Hans
Lead
2011
Der wunde Punkt
Filmakademie Wien
Short film
Jannis Lenz
Directed by
Andi
Lead
2011
Wendy wird erwachsen
Eigenproduktion für die Filmakademie Wien
Short film
Clara Stern
Directed by
Oliver
Lead
2010
Beluga Tournament
Network/Distributor: IMAX München
Documentary
Julian Loher
Directed by
Speaker/narrator
CV - Theatre
2014 - 2014
Don Gil von den grünen Hosen
Theater der Jugend Wien
Theatre
Comedy
Regie: Thomas Birkmeir
Directed by
Don Martin
Lead
2013 - 2013
Die Nibelungen
Theater der Jugend Wien
Theatre
Gerald Maria Bauer
Directed by
Siegfried
Lead
2012 - 2012
Faust 1&2
Salzburger Festspiele/Thaliatheater Hamburg
Theatre
Nicolas Steemann
Directed by
Small Role
2012
Burgtheater Red Ribbon Gala
Theatre
Alexander Wiegold
Directed by
Special Extra
2012 - 2012
Anna Karenina
Theatre
Nikolaus Büchel
Directed by
Graf Alexej Wronski
Lead
2010 - 2012
Die Heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Burgtheater Wien
Theatre
Tragedy
Michael Thalheimer
Directed by
Small Role
CV - Audio
2013
Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele Geburtshaus
Voice-over
Intern
Directed by
Speaker/narrator
CV - Other
2011 - 2011
Österreichisch-Chinesisches Kulturfestival
Uniart Media
Hosting/presenting
Intern
Directed by
Host/presenter
