Age: 62
male
René Steinke (born 16 November 1963 as René Dan Steinke in East Berlin, East Germany), is a German actor, best known in Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei as Kriminalhauptkommissar Tom Kranich. He appeared in the role from 1999–2003 and 2005–07. He was paired with Erdoğan Atalay, who played Semir Gerkhan. After graduating from school, Steinke trained as a communications technician. In 1987, he played his first leading role in the film "Vernehmung der Zeugen" (Interrogation of the Witnesses). In 1989, he was accepted to the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts and completed his training in 1993. Steinke then received a permanent offer at the Volksbühne Berlin, where he played various leading roles. In 1999, Steinke took on the role of Chief Inspector Tom Kranich in the RTL-produced action series Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei (Alarm for Cobra 11 – The Highway Police) and was replaced in 2003 by Christian Oliver as Chief Inspector Jan Richter. Steinke returned to the series in March 2005 and then announced his final departure in January 2006. His last day of filming was February 8, 2006. Steinke's character, Tom Kranich, was shot and killed during an undercover operation in episode 158, titled Auf Leben und Tod (First aired: March 22, 2007). His immediate successor in the series was Gedeon Burkhard (2007–2008). He lives in Berlin and is married to the actress Bianca Warnek. They have had a son together since 2020.
Leroy Pennington returned from the Civil War and decided to drive to Winnetoon along the way. When he arrived in town, he immediately visited his old friend Woody Combs, who is the sheriff here. Sheriff Combs tells Pennington that the town has a big problem with the Doolin Brothers gang, led by the three Doolin bros. Doolin Gang is made up of 140 men and their job is to attack this town, rob and kill the citizens. Woody stood up to them and shot a couple of men, and when the Doolin brothers found out, they said that there would be retribution in the form of all 140 men storming the town, looting, burning, shooting, robbing and murdering. Woody asked Pennigton for help, Leroy agreed and said he would put together a team of the best men and protect the city. Pennington wrote down 10 names, the list included Willie Hester, Jack Bartlett, Edmund Poole, Jess York, Vernon Jacobson, Vincent Cherry, Oscar Booth, Warren Donovan, Ernest Ballard and Elijah Alford. The Doolins said that doomsday for Winnetoon will occur on the day of the full moon at high noon. Pennington rode the Wild West recruiting members for his team. Doolins arrived on time and in four waves, 20 men, 30, 40 and 50. Woody got all his men together (8). The shooting lasted a long time, the dynamite was banging. Men were dying on both sides. The town of Winnetoon won but all eight Woody's men fell, Woody was shot and died next day, Donovan and Ballard died and the others became new lawmen and Pennington the sheriff
