- In April 2013 information emerged that actor Horst Tappert served as a member of the notorious Waffen-SS during World War II and hid the fact for years. Re-runs of "Derrick" were suspended in Germany and some other countries as a result. He never personally disclosed his connection with the SS.
- Only German actor, who has fan clubs in Europe as well as overseas. Even Pope John Paul II liked to watch him on Derrick (1974).
- In December 2001, one of Tappert's sons, Gary, died of organ failure after having gone into a coma. He was 52, and an architect.
- Received Germany's Cross of Merit in 1988.
- Lived in Gräfelfing near Munich with his third wife Ursula and is the father of three children from two prior marriages: Karin, Ralph and Gary (died 2001).
- He was already 51 when the Derrick series started, and he outlived the series, unlike a few much younger people who appeared on the series during the 24 years.
- His daughter Karin died in 2010 of cancer.
- Enjoyed fishing and hunting.
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