Vittorio “Vito” Pirbazari, a 44-year-old bodybuilder and actor recognized for his role in the Netflix series “Dogs of Berlin,” died following a heart attack while running on a treadmill at a gym in Berlin, Germany.
The Berlin-based fitness influencer collapsed during his exercise routine on March 31, 2025. His friend and fellow actor, Said Ibrahim, confirmed the news on Instagram the following day.
Pirbazari had recently returned to training after a three-month hiatus due to a tear in his pectoral muscle that required surgical intervention. Just a day before his death, he shared a photograph of himself at the gym, marking his return to fitness with 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 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 faced several health challenges in recent months. Besides recovering from chest surgery, he had also been involved in a car accident that resulted in minor injuries to his vertebra and legs, according to news reports.
Despite these setbacks, Pirbazari remained determined to regain his fitness. Friends described him as resilient and dedicated to his physical training.
In addition to his role as Daher Tarik in “Dogs of Berlin,” Pirbazari appeared in the long-running German crime series “Tatort” and in the film “Haps – Crime Doesn’t Pay,” where he portrayed 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 prominent figure in Germany’s fitness community. He was part of a popular YouTube fitness group called “Hardgainer Crew” and had founded a supplement company called Caps Plus products.
His path to becoming a bodybuilder was marked by significant personal challenges. Pirbazari had previously struggled with being overweight and had disabilities following a car accident in his youth. Despite these obstacles, he persevered and 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.