Lisa Maria Potthoff is a well-known German actress recognized for her versatile performances in television and film. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, she has established herself as a familiar and accomplished face in contemporary German entertainment. She is particularly popular for her long-running roles as Susi in the Eberhofer homeland crime comedy series and as the tough police inspector Sarah Kohr in the successful ZDF crime franchise.
Lisa Maria Potthoff: Quick Facts & Wiki
- Name: Lisa Maria Potthoff
- Date of Birth: July 25, 1978
- Age: 48 years old
- Place of Birth: West Berlin, West Germany
- Nationality: German
- Ethnicity: White
- Height: 173 cm (5’8”)
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: Peter Potthoff and Mrs. Potthoff
- Ex-Spouse: Thorsten Berg
- Children: 2 daughters
- Occupation: Actress
- Net Worth: $2.5 million
Early Life and Education
Lisa Maria Potthoff was born on July 25, 1978, in West Berlin, West Germany. Her mother worked as a doctor, and her father worked as a psychologist. When she was a young child, the family moved to Höhenkirchen near Munich, where she spent her formative years. Details regarding her siblings remain private, and she was raised within the Christian faith.
As a teenager, Potthoff took dance classes and private acting lessons. Her early exposure to the industry began at just 14 years old when she appeared as an extra in an episode of the classic television series Derrick. Pursuing a professional path in acting, she completed formal training at the prestigious Schauspiel München from 1997 to 1999.
Acting Career and Breakthrough Roles
Lisa Maria Potthoff began working in television while still completing her acting studies. She secured early appearances in established series such as Polizeiruf 110 and SOKO 5113. In 1999, she relocated from Munich to Berlin to expand her career opportunities.
She swiftly transitioned into leading roles in television films and feature projects. Some of her notable early cinematic works include the black comedy Die Bluthochzeit (The Wedding Party), Soloalbum, Männer wie wir (Guys and Balls), and Sommer der Gaukler.
Signature Roles: Susi in Eberhofer-Krimis and Sarah Kohr
Potthoff achieved widespread mainstream recognition through two major recurring television and film roles:
- Susi Gmeinwieser: Since 2013, she has played Susi, the romantic partner of police officer Franz Eberhofer. This role is part of the popular Eberhofer crime comedy film series based on the novels by Rita Falk.
- Sarah Kohr: Beginning in 2014, she took on the title role of the determined inspector Sarah Kohr in the ongoing ZDF crime franchise. The character is known for intense action sequences. Potthoff largely performs these stunts herself thanks to her training in martial arts like Krav Maga and kickboxing.
Aside from these breakout parts, she starred as Kriminalhauptkommissarin Julia Thiel in the crime drama series Der Usedom-Krimi from 2014 to 2019. She has also appeared in numerous other television movies and mini-series.
Personal Life: Husband, Kids, and Family
Lisa Maria Potthoff was previously married to television producer Thorsten Berg. They share two daughters born in 2009 and 2014. Known for keeping her family life discreet, she has occasionally shared anecdotes about motherhood, including the story of one of her daughters being born in the family car. In January 2026, public media reports announced that Potthoff and Berg had separated. She continues to reside in Berlin with her family.
Net Worth
Lisa Maria Potthoff’s estimated net worth is approximately $2.5 million USD. Her wealth has accumulated through a successful career in German television and film. This is bolstered by her long-running leading roles in major box-office film series like the Eberhofer comedies and high-profile prime-time ZDF crime dramas.
Selected Filmography
- 1999: In aller Freundschaft (TV Series)
- 2004: Männer wie wir
- 2005: Die Bluthochzeit
- 2011: Sommer der Gaukler
- 2013-Present: Eberhofer-Krimis (as Susi)
- 2014-2019: Der Usedom-Krimi (as Julia Thiel)
- 2014-Present: Sarah Kohr (as Sarah Kohr)
- 2019: Skylines (Netflix Series)
- 2022: Herzogpark (Miniserie)
- 2026: Steckerlfischfiasko
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lisa Maria Potthoff?
Lisa Maria Potthoff was born on July 25, 1978. As of August 2026, she is 48 years old.
How tall is Lisa Maria Potthoff?
Her height is 173 cm, which is approximately 5 feet 8 inches.
Does Lisa Maria Potthoff have children?
Yes, she has two daughters with her former husband, Thorsten Berg.
Is Lisa Maria Potthoff still married?
No. Public reports confirmed in January 2026 that Lisa Maria Potthoff and television producer Thorsten Berg had separated after many years of marriage.
What are Lisa Maria Potthoff’s most famous roles?
She is best known for playing Susi in the Eberhofer crime comedy film series and for portraying action-driven inspector Sarah Kohr in the ZDF crime franchise.
Does she do her own stunts?
Yes. Due to her background and training in martial arts, Potthoff performs the vast majority of her own stunts in physically demanding roles like Sarah Kohr.
