Dieter Thomas Heck was a German actor and television presenter, best known for hosting the famous ZDF Hitparade, as well as for his work in various music and quiz shows. He was born on December 29, 1937, in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and passed away on August 23, 2018, in Berlin.
Personal and Family Life
Dieter Thomas Heck, born Carl Dieter Heckscher, had a rich family life. He married Edda Heckscher in 1962, with whom he had two sons, Rolf-Nils and Thomas-Kim, before their divorce in 1974. Later, he married Ragnhild Heck in 1976, and they had a daughter named Saskia. He was the illegitimate grandson of Prince Carl Gustav zu Ysenburg und Büdingen.
Career
Heck had a diverse career in broadcasting that began in the 1960s. After selling cars early in life, he found his passion for music and entertainment, which led him to work as a disc jockey and television host. His big break came in 1969 with the ZDF Hitparade, which became a cultural phenomenon in Germany. In addition to hosting, he was also involved in several quiz shows and music programs, receiving numerous awards for his contributions to German television and music throughout his career.
Death and Legacy
Dieter Thomas Heck died on August 23, 2018, at the age of 80 in a Berlin hospital. His legacy lives on as one of Germany’s most beloved television hosts, having made significant contributions to entertainment and music. He was honored with many awards over his life, demonstrating his impact on German media.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Manta – Der Film | 1991-09-18 | Hartmut Metzger |
| Das Millionenspiel | 1970-10-18 | Showmaster Thilo Uhlenhorst |
| Hurra, bei uns geht’s rund | 1971-08-19 | Dr. Scheuch, Koch |
| C.i.S.: Chaoten im Sondereinsatz | 2010-05-09 | Alfred Schwarz |
| Schwindelig vor Geld und Liebe | 1977-02-22 | Frank Swingle / Marten Swenska / Tony |
| Praxis Bülowbogen | 1987-10-06 | Bernd Saalbach |
| Café Wernicke | 1980-12-02 | Fritzenstein |
| Tatort | 1970-11-29 | Erich Melz |
| The Day of the German Schlager | 1981-01-01 | Self – Host |
| The ZDF-Hitparade | 1969-01-18 | Self – Host |