Thomas Ohrner
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Tommi" Ohrner is a German actor, singer and television host. Beginning a career as a child actor
at the age of four, Ohrner rose to prominence as a teen idol
during the early 1980s, starring in the television series Timm Thaler, Merlin and Manni, der Libero
, as well as achieving crossover success as a singer with his English-language pop singles, "Rock 'n' Roll in Old Blue Jeans" and "5 O'Clock Rock". In the 1990s, Ohrner turned to work as a television and radio host before once again returning to acting, most notably as Matthias Brandner
on the German soap opera, Verbotene Liebe
.
Ohrner continued to appear in film and on television until 1976, when he landed his first lead role as Victor Laroche alongside his sister Carolin as Cora Laroche in the children's mystery miniseries Das Haus der Krokodile
. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Ohrner continued to make occasional television appearances as well as working as a voice actor, dubbing voices for the German broadcasts of the Japanese animated series, Heidi, Girl of the Alps
and the American comedy series The Bad News Bears.
by James Krüss, Ohrner played the titular role of Timm Thaler, a boy who trades his enchanting laughter to a wealthy Baron in exchange for the ability to win any bet he makes. Premiering on Christmas day 1979, the series became a hit with young audiences and launched 14-year-old Ohrner as a popular teen idol
of the era. In January 1980, he followed up with a starring role in the miniseries Merlin, playing the wizard as a boy.
With the popularity of Timm Thaler, Ariola Records
signed Ohrner as a recording artist, releasing his first pop album, For You in 1980. The album, which featured Ohrner on vocals and electric guitar, included the popular singles, "Rock 'n' Roll in Old Blue Jeans" and "Looks Like a Heartache". After the success of For You, Ariola released Ohrner's next English album, My Name is Tommi the following year. The album included the singles "All the Girls Around the World" and "5 O'clock Rock" and cemented Ohrner's status as a teen idol with young fans.
In 1982, Ohrner followed up with the lead role in another popular teen series, Manni, der Libero
which followed a teenager's adolescent struggles to become a professional soccer player. Following this success, he returned to the big screen, starring in the films, Ein dicker Hund, Die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Guru Jakob and Plem, Plem – Die Schule brennt. During this time, he also continued with his music career, releasing the German-language pop singles, "Frag' nicht so dumm", "Im Dschungel ist der Teufel los" and "Nochmal Schwein gehabt".
. In the following years, he began working as as a television host, serving as host of the family game show, Boing from 1990 to 1993, and as host of the teen game show Herzklopfen from 1993 to 1995, as well as becoming program director of the cable channel kabel eins in 1992.
In 1996, Ohrner began as host of the reality series Lass dich überraschen, which surprised unsuspecting audience members by granting their wish
es. In 2001, Ohrner returned to kabel eins, hosting German adaptations of the American game shows Child's Play
and Wheel of Fortune
, as well as hosting the monthly variety show Fröhlicher Alltag from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, he returned to acting full-time, co-starring as Matthias Brandner
on the German soap opera, Verbotene Liebe
.
In October 2011 it was announced that Ohrner would be returning to the big screen, appearing in the feature film adaptation of Das Haus der Krokodile
as the father of Victor, the role he'd played in the 1976 series. The film is scheduled for a March 2012 release.
with his second wife Marion and is the father of four children. He was the father of triplets with his first wife in 1990, two of whom died only a few days after birth; only one child, Luisa survived. He has three children with his second wife; Patrick (born in 1996), Fabian (born in 2000) and Pauline (born in 2007). In his free time, Ohrner enjoys running, swimming, wind surfing, mountain biking and skiing.
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
at the age of four, Ohrner rose to prominence as a teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
during the early 1980s, starring in the television series Timm Thaler, Merlin and Manni, der Libero
Manni, der Libero
Manni, der Libero is a 1981 German television series starring Tommi Ohrner....
, as well as achieving crossover success as a singer with his English-language pop singles, "Rock 'n' Roll in Old Blue Jeans" and "5 O'Clock Rock". In the 1990s, Ohrner turned to work as a television and radio host before once again returning to acting, most notably as Matthias Brandner
Matthias Brandner
Matthias Brandner is a fictional character from the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe portrayed by actor and entertainer Thomas Ohrner. He made his first appearance on screen on January 15, 2008.-The arrival:...
on the German soap opera, Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe , often abbreviated to VL, is a Rose d'Or Award-winning German television soap opera. The show was created by Reg Watson and first broadcast on Das Erste on 2 January 1995...
.
Early life
Thomas Ohrner was born June 3, 1965, in Munich, Germany, the son of actress Evelin Bey-Ohrner and economic adviser Claus Peter Ohrner. He has two older siblings, a half-sister, actress Carolin Ohrner, born in 1961, and a brother, Markus Ohrner, born in 1963. At the age of eight months, Ohrner began as a child model, appearing in print advertorial campaigns for baby carriages, margarine and detergent, and by the age of four, he was appearing in television commercials.Early Career
In 1969, Ohrner made his television debut at the age of four, guest-starring in an episode of the television crime drama, Der Kommissar and in 1970, he made his feature film debut appearing as "Bübchen" in the romantic comedy Hurra, unsere Eltern sind nicht da. He followed up with small roles in the comedy films Nachbarn sind zum Ärgern da and Hilfe, die Verwandten kommen, and in 1973, he appeared alongside his sister Carolin in the dramatic television movie Nicht einmal das halbe Leben.Ohrner continued to appear in film and on television until 1976, when he landed his first lead role as Victor Laroche alongside his sister Carolin as Cora Laroche in the children's mystery miniseries Das Haus der Krokodile
Das Haus der Krokodile
Das Haus der Krokodile is a 1976 German children's television miniseries based on the mystery novel by author, Helmut Ballot...
. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Ohrner continued to make occasional television appearances as well as working as a voice actor, dubbing voices for the German broadcasts of the Japanese animated series, Heidi, Girl of the Alps
Heidi, Girl of the Alps
is a 1974 anime series by Zuiyo Enterprises based on the Swiss novel "Heidi's Years of Wandering and Learning" by Johanna Spyri . It was directed by Isao Takahata and features Yoichi Kotabe , Hayao Miyazaki .Heidi is one of several World Masterpiece Theater titles produced around the "classical...
and the American comedy series The Bad News Bears.
Teen idol
In 1979, Ohrner landed the lead role in the 13-part television miniseries, Timm Thaler. Based on the children's novelTimm Thaler (novel)
Timm Thaler oder Das verkaufte Lachen is a 1962 children's novel by famed German author James Krüss...
by James Krüss, Ohrner played the titular role of Timm Thaler, a boy who trades his enchanting laughter to a wealthy Baron in exchange for the ability to win any bet he makes. Premiering on Christmas day 1979, the series became a hit with young audiences and launched 14-year-old Ohrner as a popular teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
of the era. In January 1980, he followed up with a starring role in the miniseries Merlin, playing the wizard as a boy.
With the popularity of Timm Thaler, Ariola Records
Ariola Records
Ariola Records is a German record label. As of the late 1980s, it was a subsidiary label of BMG which in turn has since become a part of the international media conglomerate Sony Music Entertainment...
signed Ohrner as a recording artist, releasing his first pop album, For You in 1980. The album, which featured Ohrner on vocals and electric guitar, included the popular singles, "Rock 'n' Roll in Old Blue Jeans" and "Looks Like a Heartache". After the success of For You, Ariola released Ohrner's next English album, My Name is Tommi the following year. The album included the singles "All the Girls Around the World" and "5 O'clock Rock" and cemented Ohrner's status as a teen idol with young fans.
In 1982, Ohrner followed up with the lead role in another popular teen series, Manni, der Libero
Manni, der Libero
Manni, der Libero is a 1981 German television series starring Tommi Ohrner....
which followed a teenager's adolescent struggles to become a professional soccer player. Following this success, he returned to the big screen, starring in the films, Ein dicker Hund, Die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Guru Jakob and Plem, Plem – Die Schule brennt. During this time, he also continued with his music career, releasing the German-language pop singles, "Frag' nicht so dumm", "Im Dschungel ist der Teufel los" and "Nochmal Schwein gehabt".
Adult Career
In 1985, Ohrner starred in the television miniseries, Jenseits der Morgenröte (The Secret of the Black Dragon) and had a prominent role as Michael on the family drama series, Die glückliche Familie from 1987 to 1990. During this time, he also began working as a radio host on Radio LuxemburgRadio Luxemburg
Radio Luxemburg is the name of a commercial radio station that has broadcast in the German language from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on 208 metres in the Medium Wave Band since the conclusion of World War II....
. In the following years, he began working as as a television host, serving as host of the family game show, Boing from 1990 to 1993, and as host of the teen game show Herzklopfen from 1993 to 1995, as well as becoming program director of the cable channel kabel eins in 1992.
In 1996, Ohrner began as host of the reality series Lass dich überraschen, which surprised unsuspecting audience members by granting their wish
Wish
A wish is a hope or desire for something. Fictionally, wishes can be used as plot devices. In folklore, opportunities for "making a wish" or for wishes to "come true" or "be granted" are themes that are sometimes used.-In literature:...
es. In 2001, Ohrner returned to kabel eins, hosting German adaptations of the American game shows Child's Play
Child's Play (game show)
Child's Play is an American television game show in which adult contestants tried to guess words based on definitions given by children. The Mark Goodson-produced series debuted on CBS from September 20, 1982 at 10:30 AM Eastern/9:30 AM Central...
and Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
, as well as hosting the monthly variety show Fröhlicher Alltag from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, he returned to acting full-time, co-starring as Matthias Brandner
Matthias Brandner
Matthias Brandner is a fictional character from the German soap opera Verbotene Liebe portrayed by actor and entertainer Thomas Ohrner. He made his first appearance on screen on January 15, 2008.-The arrival:...
on the German soap opera, Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe , often abbreviated to VL, is a Rose d'Or Award-winning German television soap opera. The show was created by Reg Watson and first broadcast on Das Erste on 2 January 1995...
.
In October 2011 it was announced that Ohrner would be returning to the big screen, appearing in the feature film adaptation of Das Haus der Krokodile
Das Haus der Krokodile
Das Haus der Krokodile is a 1976 German children's television miniseries based on the mystery novel by author, Helmut Ballot...
as the father of Victor, the role he'd played in the 1976 series. The film is scheduled for a March 2012 release.
Personal life
Ohrner lives in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
with his second wife Marion and is the father of four children. He was the father of triplets with his first wife in 1990, two of whom died only a few days after birth; only one child, Luisa survived. He has three children with his second wife; Patrick (born in 1996), Fabian (born in 2000) and Pauline (born in 2007). In his free time, Ohrner enjoys running, swimming, wind surfing, mountain biking and skiing.
Film
- 1970: Hurra, unsere Eltern sind nicht da
- 1970: Nachbarn sind zum Ärgern da
- 1971: Hilfe, die Verwandten kommen
- 1974: Der gestohlene Himmel
- 1982: Im Dschungel ist der Teufel los
- 1982: Ein dicker Hund
- 1983: Die unglaublichen Abenteuer des Guru Jakob
- 1983: Plem, Plem – Die Schule brennt
- 2012: Das Haus der Krokodile (Post-production)
Television
- 1969: Der Kommissar
- 1973: Nicht einmal das halbe Leben
- 1974: Der Kommissar
- 1975: Das Haus der KrokodileDas Haus der KrokodileDas Haus der Krokodile is a 1976 German children's television miniseries based on the mystery novel by author, Helmut Ballot...
- 1977: Brennendes Geheimnis
- 1979: Timm Thaler (The Legend of Tim TylerThe Legend of Tim TylerTimm Thaler is a 1979 children's television series based on the 1962 children's novel by German writer James Krüss. The series originally aired in Germany as the first Christmas series on German national broadcaster ZDF...
) - 1980: Merlin
- 1981: Manni, der LiberoManni, der LiberoManni, der Libero is a 1981 German television series starring Tommi Ohrner....
- 1985: Jenseits der Morgenröte
- 1987–1990: Die glückliche Familie
- 1998: Varell & Decker
- 2005: Bernds HexeBernds HexeBernds Hexe is a German comedy television series, aired on RTL in 39 episodes between 2002 and 2005....
- 2008–2011: Verbotene LiebeVerbotene LiebeVerbotene Liebe , often abbreviated to VL, is a Rose d'Or Award-winning German television soap opera. The show was created by Reg Watson and first broadcast on Das Erste on 2 January 1995...
Albums
- 1980: For You
- 1: "Rock'n Roll In Old Blue Jeans"
- 2: "Make Hay While The Sun Shines"
- 3: "Bad Boy"
- 4: "If You Go Away"
- 5: "Ticket To The Sunshine"
- 6: "I Like Every Part Of You"
- 7: "Pinball Mania"
- 8: "Looks Like A Heartache"
- 9: "Angela"
- 10: "Cindy With The Golden Hair"
- 11: "Long Live Summertime"
- 12: "For You"
- 1981: My Name is Tommi
- 1: "My Name Is Tommi"
- 2: "Sister Don´t Get Me Wrong"
- 3: "Milky Way"
- 4: "Baby It´s You"
- 5: "Rollerskate Queen"
- 6: "Try It Again"
- 7: "5 O´Clock Rock"
- 8: "Tonight"
- 9: "All The Girls Around The World"
- 10: "Mister"
- 11: "Duty"
- 12: "Run Run Run"
Singles
- 1980: "Looks Like A Heartache" / "Angela"
- 1980: "Rock'n Roll In Old Blue Jeans" / "I Like Every Part of You"
- 1981: "All The Girls Around The World" / "Baby It's You"
- 1981: "5 O'Clock Rock" / "Mister"
- 1982: "Frag' nicht so dumm" / "Wir war'n gute Freunde"
- 1982: "Im Dschungel ist der Teufel los" / "Im Dschungel ist der Teufel los" (Instrumental)
- 1983: "Nochmal Schwein gehabt" / "Dr. Rap"
External links
- Thomas Ohrner at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...