07/23/2026
On the Passing of Johannes Galli
The theater creator Johannes Galli, born on January 15, 1952, in Eltville, Germany, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, 2026.
As a result of the long-term complications of diabetes, Johannes Galli lost his eyesight. For the past 14 years, he underwent regular dialysis treatment at a clinic in Wiesbaden. Yet his serious illness never diminished his creative spirit or his tireless artistic work. Today, we look back with deep gratitude on an extraordinarily rich and inspiring life’s work.
Through approximately 400 plays, Johannes Galli gave countless people moving, heartfelt, and wonderfully entertaining theatrical experiences. Throughout his creative career, he also published 75 audio recordings and 40 books, including nonfiction works, novels, and short stories.
Johannes Galli began his artistic journey as a street clown. Beginning in the 1970s, he offered courses in personal development, particularly clown training. He quickly earned a reputation as “the trainer who brings out the very best in you.”
Starting in 1979, Johannes Galli began establishing theater ensembles that performed his plays under his direction. Today, there are ten Galli Theaters in Germany: Wiesbaden, Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel, Weimar, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Backnang, Tübingen, and Munich. In addition, there is a Galli Theater in New York, four theaters in China, and numerous theater groups around the world that continue to perform his plays.
Even after his passing, the work of Johannes Galli will live on.
At our Galli Theater, as well as at our other venues in Wiesbaden, Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel, Weimar, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Backnang, Tübingen, Munich, Beijing, Shanghai, and Qingdao, his plays will continue to be performed, ensuring that his vision, wisdom, and artistic legacy remain alive for generations to come.
