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Dietmar Schönherr

Dietmar Schönherr

Actor · Died July 18, 2014, aged 88 · Innsbruck, Austria

After the annexation of Austria by the National Socialist regime under Adolf Hitler (1938), the family moved to Potsdam. In 1943, Schönherr passed his Abitur in the Brandenburg residential city. He came into contact with the world of film while still at school. He trained as an actor in Berlin and appeared in front of the camera for the first time in test recordings and in smaller roles. After his military service from 1944 to 1945, Schönherr returned to Austria, where he began studying architecture in Innsbruck in 1946. However, just a year later he stopped his studies because he was offered a role in the film "Winter Melody". In 1947, Schönherr joined the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked as a director, speaker and editor until 1952. At the same time, in 1951 he began an intensive acting career on stage and in film, where he had his first major success in 1955 with the film "Shrove Monday" and was successively seen in more than 70 film roles. Schönherr dubbed the American actor James Dean in his three major roles: "Beyond Eden", "...because they don't know what they are doing" and "Giants". Schönherr was also seen in international productions, such as "Thomas Crown" alongside Steve McQueen or "Them Not Forgiven". Schönherr gained great popularity with German-speaking television audiences through his participation in the science fiction series "Raumpatrouille" in the role of Commander McLane. He is also unforgettable to an audience of millions through his moderation of the ZDF quiz show "Wünsch Dir was" from 1970 to 1972. However, Schönherr made his most significant contribution to the development of German television culture through his format "The later the evening" : The ARD series, which was broadcast in 22 episodes from 1973 to 1974, was the first to introduce the talk show to the Federal Republic based on the model of US television. In the 1980s, Schönherr demonstrated intensive political commitment to the international peace movement and against the rearmament plans of the US administration under Ronald Reagan. His participation in demonstrations and his outspoken political statements cost him a lot of sympathy and also some professional television perspectives, but they also strengthened his reputation among the critical public. Despite his numerous political initiatives, Schönherr never turned his back on the world of stage and film. In 1998 he played a role in the German cinema production "Am I Beautiful?" by Doris Dörrie and in 2002 he was seen in German cinemas as the lawyer Herz in "Leo and Claire" (directed by Joseph Vilsmaier). In September 2002, the actor shone in one of the leading roles in the ARD comedy "The Rose Warriors". Dietmar Schönherr has been awarded several prizes. In 1976 he received the "Golden Camera" from "HörZu". In 1999 he was honored with the "Heinz Galinski Prize" for his political work. As part of the "German Television Prize" in October 2005, Dietmar Schönherr was awarded the donor's honorary award. In the same year he was also awarded the "Change the World Award" by the "Club of Budapest". Dietmar Schönherr was married to the Danish actress Vivi Bach for the second time in 1965. He died on July 18, 2014.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
May 17, 1926
Died
July 18, 2014 (aged 88)
From
Innsbruck, Austria
Works as
Actor
Titles
11 on Motif · 145 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 40% in 30 days

What are Dietmar Schönherr's films like?

Across their 8 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Bonds
23%
Self
17%
Society
15%
Survival
10%
Power
8%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 2 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
3
Absurd
2
Contemplative
3
Joyful
2
Melancholic
2
Other
8

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dietmar Schönherr's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 4 of their 11 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dietmar Schönherr's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

145 credits, 11 with a Motif page; 31 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Zeit für Träume (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Johann Johannsen

  • Der Judas von Tirol (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Martl

  • Handyman (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Dr. Meyer

  • Glück auf halber Treppe(2005)

    as Werner Kleist

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Brücke zum Herzen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Professor Paul Hermes

  • Mein Vater und ich (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Professor Georg Riegler

  • Happy Hour oder Glück und Glas (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Dr. Gussenbauer

  • Rufer, der Wolf (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Robert Rufer

  • Liebe auf den zweiten Blick (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Friedrich Mertens

  • Circle of Life (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Friedrich Ewersbusch

  • Angelique - Das unbezähmbare Herz (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gustave

  • Space Patrol (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Cliff Allister McLane (archive footage)

  • Die Rosenkrieger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dr. Friedrich Maertens

  • Leo & Claire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Rechtsanwalt Herz

  • Liebe darf alles (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Arnold

  • Utta Danella - Der blaue Vogel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Jon Kamphoven

  • Murder in the Mountains(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Bergmann

    Motif score: 4th percentile of all shows

  • Rosamunde Pilcher: Die Rose von Kerrymore (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Lord Kerrymore

  • Am I Beautiful? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Juan

  • Macht (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Richard Moll

  • Eine fast perfekte Scheidung (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Dr. Hofbauer

  • Back in Trouble(1997)

    as Dinkelmann

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Leinen los für MS Königstein (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 13 episodes · as Heinrich Starke

  • Sophie – Schlauer als die Polizei erlaubt (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Rupert Menath

  • Es war doch Liebe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Alphateam – Die Lebensretter im OP (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Schlosshotel Orth (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Opa Messmer

  • Jury Trial (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as August Seibel

  • Otto John - Eine deutsche Geschichte (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Narrator

  • Der Gletscherclan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 14 episodes · as Ruprecht Jauffenberger

  • Zwei Brüder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Julius Herzfeld

  • Rosen aus Jericho (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as Dr. Zimmer

  • Fünf Millionen und ein paar Zerquetschte (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as Friedhelm

  • Auf eigene Gefahr (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Korting

  • Ein unvergeßliches Wochenende (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Niels Roloff

  • By Way of the Stars(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Friedrich Brunneck

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Night on Fire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Joshua Jordi

  • Snow White (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Re

  • Der Bergdoktor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Harrison

  • Das war der wilde Osten(1992)

    as Gustav Hohenstein

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Der Tod zu Basel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Jean-Jacques Zinstag

  • Killer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Ralph

  • Journey of Hope (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Massimo

  • Kommissar Klefisch (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Herburger

  • Mirakel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • African Timber (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Brasser

  • Torquemada (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Carlo de Sigura

  • Reporter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 9 episodes · as Herbst, Chefredakteur

  • Die Arbeitersaga (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Rafft

  • Die Männer vom K3 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. Dr. Rolf Diehl

  • Fest im Sattel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 48 episodes · as Rüdiger von Strehlitz

  • Ein heikler Fall (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Eugen Katerle

  • Tanner (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Steiner

  • The Death of the White Stallion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Ritter von Schenkenstein

  • A Song for Europe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Junger

  • Raffl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Pfarrer

  • Berliner Weiße mit Schuß (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Maisch

  • The Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Showmaster

  • So oder so ist das Leben: Vier Begegnungen in einer Großstadt (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Kinder unseres Volkes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Onkel Wolf

  • Die fünfte Jahreszeit (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 9 episodes · as Alois Perwanger

  • So oder So ist das Leben (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Die Stunde des Löwen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Franz Pirroth

  • Hochkant (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Moderator

  • Die sieben Todsünden und Totentanz (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • A Case For Two (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Claus Brinkstedt

  • Ihr 106. Geburtstag (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    as Marcus

  • Der Spinnenmörder (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Chief Inspector Anderson

  • Der Mann mit der roten Nelke (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Eine Frau zieht ein (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Franz Peter

  • Ein Fall für Sie: Sonnenschein bis Mitternacht (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Kommissar Bachmann

  • Je später der Abend (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 17 episodes · as Host

  • Kain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    Director · Writer

  • Sternschnuppe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Tatort(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Alois Egger · as Lunik van Deeling · as Siegmar Frick · as Willy Tindle

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Der Mann, der den Eiffelturm verkaufte (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1970)

    as Bredford King

  • Die Geschichte der 1002. Nacht (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Kalergi

  • Luftsprünge (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Ulli Wallner

  • Affäre Dreyfuss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rechtsanwalt Labori

  • Otto ist auf Frauen scharf (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Christian Bongert

  • Madame Bovary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Boulanger

  • The Little Teahouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    as Captain Fisby

  • Kill Me Gently (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1967)

    as Allan and George Hood

  • Ski Fever (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Polizeifunk ruft (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric Oswald

  • Königliches Abenteuer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Prinz Charles

  • Space Patrol (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 7 episodes · as Major Cliff Allister McLane

  • Komm mit zur blauen Adria (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1966)

    as Walter Thomas

  • Ferien mit Piroschka (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    as Alfi Trattenbach

  • Die Rudi Carrell Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Coast of Skeletons(1965)

    as Piet van Houten

    Motif score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Ein Ferienbett mit 100 PS (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1965)

    as Hans Rothe

  • Mozambique (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Henderson

  • Secret of the Chinese Carnation (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Dr. Cecil Wilkens

  • Code 7, Victim 5(1964)

    as Paul

    Motif score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Monster of London City (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Dr. Michael Greely

  • Ein Frauenarzt klagt an (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Klaus Petermann

  • Nach Ladenschluß (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Horst Radack

  • Operation Hong Kong (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1964)

    as Ted Barnekow

  • The Puzzle of the Red Tassel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    as Richard

  • Nylon Noose (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    as Inspektor Harvey

  • Meine Frau Susanne (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as 1.Maler

  • Im Schatten des Krieges (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1963)

    as Culver

  • Kohlhiesels Töchter(1962)

    as Günter Krüger

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • His Best Friend (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Marius Melichar

  • The Happy Years of the Thorwalds (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as ihr Sohn Martin

  • Commando (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Petit Prince

  • The Longest Day(1962)

    as Luftwaffe Major (uncredited)

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Melody of Hate (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1962)

    as Dr. Elmer

  • Geliebte Hochstaplerin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    as David Ogden

  • Treibjagd auf ein Leben (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    as Georg Holst, Gerichtsarzt

  • Mary Rose (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    as Harry / Simon

  • Schau heimwärts, Engel (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1961)

    as Ben Gant

  • Sabine und die hundert Männer (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Michael Böhm

  • Nach all der Zeit (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Harald

  • Ingeborg (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Peter

  • Brainwashed(1960)

    as Rabbi

    Motif score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Im Namen einer Mutter (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Fritz Merlin

  • Darkness Fell on Gotenhafen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Gaston

  • Es geschah an der Grenze (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Karl 'Charly' Binder

  • Der liebe Augustin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1960)

    as Franz von Gravenreuth

  • Du bist wunderbar (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Willi Schultz

  • Die unvollkommene Ehe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Rolf Beckmayer - Schriftsteller

  • Everyday's not Sunday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mitja Burganoff

  • Longing Has Seduced Me (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Albert Hermann

  • Jons und Erdme (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1959)

    as Director of soap factory

  • Frauensee (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Ferry Graf Chur

  • Der schwarze Blitz (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Herbert Thanner

  • Schwarzwälder Kirsch (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Peter Benrath

  • Der Elefant im Porzellanladen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1958)

    as Clemens, der Diener

  • Frauenarzt Dr. Bertram (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Daphnis und Chloe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Daphnis

  • Frühling in Berlin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Hannes Delk

  • Einmal eine große Dame sein (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Stefan Riehl

  • Die verpfuschte Hochzeitsnacht (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Alessandro Schulze

  • Made in Germany – Ein Leben für Zeiss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1957)

    as Dr. Roderich Zeiss

  • Das Mädchen Marion (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Günther Legler

  • Kleines Zelt und große Liebe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Ferry Singer

  • Friederike von Barring (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Müller-Staen jr.

  • Hello Kathrin (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1956)

    as Duval

  • Rosenmontag (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1955)

    as Leutnant Hans Rudloff

  • Nacht am Mont-Blanc (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1951)

    as Vigo

  • Das Fräulein und der Vagabund (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1949)

    as Gerhard Renken

  • Les amours de Blanche Neige (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1947)

    Actor

  • Junge Adler (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1944)

    as Theo Brakke

Career shape

Star power in the 64th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 145 titles from 1944 to 2009.

Highest rated

Brainwashed (1960)

Most popular right now

By Way of the Stars (1992)

Film career

  • 1966Screen debut· Space Patrol
  • 1990First film· Journey of Hope

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting144 of 145: 144 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score25thDirecting1 of 145: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 145: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1940s3 · acting1950s21 · acting1960s45 · acting1970s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew1980s21 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s18 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Dietmar Schönherr's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 21st percentile, the median of all 8; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 21st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

21stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

17thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

22ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Motif score across 11 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 11 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Back in Trouble (1997)

71st percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Longest Day (1962)

87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Dietmar Schönherr work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dietmar Schönherr's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Lynn shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Editors