Vittorio “Vito” Pirbazari, a 44-year-old bodybuilder and actor recognized for his participation in the Netflix series “Dogs of Berlin,” passed away following a heart attack while running on a treadmill at a gym in Berlin, Germany.
The fitness influencer, based in Berlin, collapsed during his workout on March 31. Confirmation of his death was shared by his friend and fellow actor, Said Ibrahim, on Instagram.
Pirbazari had recently resumed training after a three-month hiatus due to a pectoral muscle injury that necessitated surgery. Just a day prior to his death, he had posted a photo at the gym, marking his fitness return for his 90,000 Instagram followers.
“I have not been able to exercise much for the past three months, but I’m trying intervals on the treadmill,” Pirbazari wrote in his last social media post on March 30. “Taking it slowly as my legs are not fully healed. Working hard on my diet and trying to get better day by day.”
The German-Iranian actor and bodybuilder had encountered several health issues in recent months. Besides recovering from chest surgery, he had been involved in a car accident that resulted in minor injuries to his back and legs, according to news reports.
Despite these challenges, Pirbazari remained focused on regaining his fitness. Friends described him as dedicated and passionate about physical training.
In addition to his portrayal of Daher Tarik in “Dogs of Berlin,” Pirbazari appeared in the long-running German crime series “Tatort” and the film “Haps – Crime Doesn’t Pay,” where he played a prisoner. The Instagram page for “Haps” shared the news of his death with a tribute.
“Thank you for your warmth, your creative spirit, and for being a part of our journey,” the film’s Instagram page posted.
Pirbazari was also a known figure in Germany’s fitness community. He was part of a popular YouTube fitness group called “Hardgainer Crew” and had founded a supplement company named Caps Plus products.
His path to bodybuilding was marked by personal hurdles. Pirbazari had previously struggled with being overweight and had a disability rating of 50% following a car accident in his youth. Despite these obstacles, he placed seventh in the German bodybuilding championship in 2015.
Ibrahim, who shared the news of Pirbazari’s death, described his friend as having a “soft heart like that of a ten-year-old child,” highlighting the contrast between Pirbazari’s imposing physical presence and his gentle nature.
Friends and colleagues expressed shock at his sudden passing. Many described him as helpful and kind-hearted, noting that he was simply a good person despite his intimidating physique.
The actor and bodybuilder is survived by his girlfriend and their son, who was born in 2020.
The exact circumstances surrounding his heart attack remain unclear, though friends noted he had been taking his return to training cautiously due to his recent injuries and surgery.
Throughout his career, Pirbazari managed to balance his passion for bodybuilding with his acting pursuits, becoming a recognizable figure in German entertainment. His final Instagram posts showed him looking forward to rebuilding his strength after his recent health challenges.
