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Following Austria's annexation by the National Socialist regime under Adolf Hitler in 1938, the family relocated to Potsdam. In 1943, Schönherr completed his Abitur in this Brandenburg city. While still a student, he was introduced to the world of film. He trained as an actor in Berlin, initially appearing in test recordings and minor roles.
After serving in the military from 1944 to 1945, Schönherr returned to Austria and began studying architecture in Innsbruck in 1946. However, he abandoned his studies a year later after being offered a part in the film "Winter Melody." In 1947, he joined the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, working as a director, announcer, and editor until 1952. Concurrently, he embarked on a serious acting career on stage and in film starting in 1951, achieving his first major success in 1955 with the film "Shrove Monday" and eventually appearing in over 70 film roles.
Schönherr provided the German dubbing voice for American actor James Dean in his three major films: "East of Eden," "Rebel Without a Cause," and "Giant." He also appeared in international productions such as "The Thomas Crown Affair" alongside Steve McQueen and "Them Not Forgiven." He gained widespread popularity among German-speaking TV audiences through his role as Commander McLane in the science fiction series "Raumpatrouille."
Millions remember him as the host of the ZDF quiz show "Wünsch Dir was," which he moderated from 1970 to 1972. However, Schönherr's most notable contribution to German television culture was his show "The Later the Evening": this ARD series, broadcast in 22 episodes from 1973 to 1974, was the first talk show in West Germany modeled after American television formats. In the 1980s, Schönherr was actively involved in the international peace movement and opposed the U.S. administration's rearmament plans under Ronald Reagan.
His participation in protests and outspoken political views cost him some popularity and professional TV opportunities but enhanced his standing among critical audiences. Despite his political activism, Schönherr remained dedicated to stage and film. In 1998, he appeared in the German film "Am I Beautiful?" directed by Doris Dörrie, and in 2002 he played the lawyer Herz in "Leo and Claire," directed by Joseph Vilsmaier.
In September 2002, he starred in a leading role in the ARD comedy "The Rose Warriors." Throughout his career, Dietmar Schönherr received numerous awards, including the "Golden Camera" from HörZu in 1976, the "Heinz Galinski Prize" for his political efforts in 1999, the honorary donor award at the German Television Prize in October 2005, and the "Change the World Award" from the Club of Budapest the same year.
He married Danish actress Vivi Bach for the second time in 1965. Dietmar Schönherr passed away on July 18, 2014.
