Ueck' Directors Say Bob Uecker Documentary Is 'A Gift'

Filmmakers behind the upcoming feature-length documentary on the legendary Brewers broadcaster discuss the making of the film.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:04am

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Ahead of the Milwaukee Film Festival premiere of 'Ueck,' the documentary that chronicles the life of legendary Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, the film's directors Michael Vollmann and Steve Farr discuss how the project came together, what fans can expect, and the surprising things they learned about Ueck through the process.

Why it matters

Uecker was a beloved figure in Milwaukee and beyond, transcending baseball with his iconic entertainment career. This documentary aims to provide a comprehensive and intimate portrait of the man behind the 'Mr. Baseball' persona.

The details

Vollmann and Farr, both Milwaukee natives, were part of the production company September Club that approached Uecker a few years ago about doing a documentary. Despite Uecker's private battle with cancer that began in 2023, he was 'on board very quickly' and gave the filmmakers access to capture his daily life at the ballpark, where he was described as being 'at home.' The documentary features nearly 30 interviews, including with Uecker's Brewers broadcast partners, former MLB commissioner Bud Selig, and other baseball luminaries.

  • Filming for 'Ueck' began in spring 2023, with the majority of the film taking place in 2024.
  • Uecker passed away in January 2025 after a private battle with small cell lung cancer.
  • The Brewers paid tribute to Uecker throughout the 2025 season, including a celebration of his life on a gameday in August.

The players

Bob Uecker

A Milwaukee native and former MLB player who was the iconic voice of the Brewers on the radio for over 50 years, a Baseball Hall of Famer, and a renowned entertainer with roles in films, TV, and commercials.

Michael Vollmann

One of the directors of the 'Ueck' documentary and a fellow Milwaukee native who grew up idolizing Uecker as a Brewers fan.

Steve Farr

Another director of the 'Ueck' documentary who is from Racine, Wisconsin and also grew up as a Brewers and Uecker fan.

Bud Selig

The former commissioner of Major League Baseball who was interviewed for the documentary.

Bob Costas

The Hall of Fame broadcaster who was interviewed for the documentary.

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What they’re saying

“Knowing what Bob meant to the community, for us to be able to kind of present a portrait of him that people will recognize him in is super-meaningful.”

— Steve Farr, Director

“To be able to tell his story and do it in a very personal and human, meaningful way is just everything for me.”

— Steve Farr, Director

“What is it like to hang out with him casually and get to know him intimately? I think people who think they might already know Ueck, they're probably going to find out more than they already know. I think we really dug deep.”

— Michael Vollmann, Director

“I hope that people have an even greater appreciation for Ueck. Obviously, he's iconic in this community and beyond. I think the film lives up to that, and supports that feeling. I want people to feel like they spent time with him, and just have a great experience.”

— Steve Farr, Director

“At the end of it, he always said No. 1 for him was baseball. I think this film does a good job of calibrating both of those worlds.”

— Michael Vollmann, Director

What’s next

The 'Ueck' documentary is premiering on opening night of the Milwaukee Film Festival on April 16, 2026, with a major theatrical release planned for July 2026.

The takeaway

This documentary aims to provide a comprehensive and intimate portrait of the legendary Bob Uecker, capturing both his iconic status as a beloved Brewers broadcaster and entertainer, as well as his deep passion for the game of baseball that defined his life.