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Christian Oliver (real name Christian Klepser), who starred in films such as “Speed Racer” and “Valkyrie,” died along with his two young daughters on Thursday when their small plane crashed into the sea off a Caribbean island. The plane's owner and pilot, Robert Sachs, also died in the crash. Oliver was 51.
Authorities said the single-engine plane took off Thursday afternoon from F. Mitchell Airport in Becquia, a tiny island and part of the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and was en route to nearby St. Lucia when it crashed.
Among the dead were Oliver's daughters Madita Klepser (10) and Annik Klepser (12).
Shortly after take-off, the aircraft ran into difficulties and crashed into the sea,” the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said in a statement to the media. “Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm took their boats to the scene of the accident to provide assistance,” it added. All four bodies were recovered.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. According to local reports, shortly after takeoff, the pilot radioed the tower that he was having problems and would turn back. That was the last communication from the plane.
German-born Oliver worked with Steven Soderbergh in The Good German alongside Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, and with Brian Singer and Tom Cruise in 2008's Valkyrie and the Wachowskis' Speed Racer. He also played the lead role as a detective in the popular German action series Alarm für Cobra 11 (RTL) for two years. His TV appearances also included Saved By the Bell: The New Class. His most recent credit is the latest Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Oliver had just finished his latest film, Forever Hold Your Peace, starring Bai Ling and directed by Nick Lyon, and filmed his final scenes on December 20th.
On the final day of filming, Lyon posted a photo and paid tribute to Oliver with the caption: “We talked about producing a film together for years and finally did it! Thank you for being a great colleague, actor and friend.'”