Vittorio “Vito” Pirbazari, a 44-year-old bodybuilder and actor recognized for his role in the Netflix series “Dogs of Berlin,” passed away following a heart attack while exercising on a treadmill at a gym in Berlin, Germany.
Based in Berlin, the fitness influencer collapsed during a workout session on March 31, 2025. Said Ibrahim, his friend and fellow actor, confirmed the death via Instagram the next day.
Pirbazari had returned to his training routine after a three-month pause due to a pectoral muscle injury that necessitated surgery. Just a day before his passing, he posted a gym photo on Instagram, marking his return to fitness for his 90,000 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 final 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 confronted several health issues recently. Besides recovering from chest surgery, he was involved in a car accident that resulted in minor injuries to his vertebra and legs, as reported by news outlets.
Despite these challenges, Pirbazari was committed to regaining his fitness. Those close to him described him as resilient and passionate about physical training.
In addition to his role as Daher Tarik in “Dogs of Berlin,” Pirbazari featured in the long-running German crime series “Tatort” and the film “Haps – Crime Doesn’t Pay,” portraying a prisoner. The Instagram page for “Haps” shared the news of his passing 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 an influential 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 journey to becoming a bodybuilder was marked by significant personal challenges. Pirbazari previously struggled with being overweight and faced a disability rating of 50% after a car accident in his youth. Despite these obstacles, he placed seventh in the German bodybuilding championship in 2015.
Ibrahim, who announced Pirbazari’s death, described his friend as having a “soft heart like that of a ten-year-old child,” underscoring the contrast between Pirbazari’s physical stature and his gentle nature.
Friends and colleagues expressed shock at his unexpected death. Many noted his helpfulness and kind nature, emphasizing that he was 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 details of his heart attack remain unclear, though friends noted he had been cautious in resuming training due to his recent injuries and surgery.
Throughout his career, Pirbazari balanced his passion for bodybuilding with his acting pursuits, becoming a recognizable figure in German entertainment. His final Instagram posts depicted his anticipation of rebuilding his strength following recent health challenges.
