RIP Thomas Danneberg

 

Legendary Voice Actor Thomas Danneberg Passes Away at 81

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By Sheena Oberoi

October 2, 2023

 

Renowned German voice actor Thomas Danneberg, famed for dubbing numerous Hollywood stars including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, and Terence Hill, passed away at the age of 81 following a stroke. His wife, Leni, confirmed his passing and revealed that he died in their home at Wannsee.

Legacy of a Voice Acting Legend

Thomas Danneberg, born on June 2, 1942, was a German actor and voice actor who made a significant impact in the film industry. He was best recognized for his role as Charles Emerson in the 1967 Edgar Wallace film The Blue Hand. However, his voice was his passport to fame, dubbing over actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terence Hill, Sylvester Stallone, John Cleese, Dan Aykroyd, Adriano Celentano, Nick Nolte, John Travolta, Michael York, Rutger Hauer, and Dennis Quaid. His contribution to the German trance/techno-band E Nomine further expanded his repertoire, marking him as a versatile artist.

Beyond the film industry, Danneberg also lent his voice to various video game characters, further showcasing his vocal versatility. His performances in Ankh and Jack Keane stand testament to his ability to bring characters to life.

A Life Marked by Triumph and Tribulation

Danneberg’s journey was not without its challenges. In 2017, he suffered a severe fall that led to significant health complications. The fall resulted in a temporary loss of his renowned voice. However, displaying remarkable resilience, he managed to regain his voice in 2021, much to the delight of his fans.

Despite his improved condition, Danneberg’s health issues prevented him from fulfilling many fan wishes for autographs, something he deeply regretted. Nevertheless, his fans continued to shower him with affection, recognizing him as Germany’s most famous dubbing voice.

A Profound Loss for the Industry

Danneberg’s passing has left a void in the industry, with fans and peers alike mourning the loss of this versatile artist. His death has elicited a significant amount of condolences on social media, reflecting the profound impact he made on his audience.

Thomas Danneberg leaves behind a rich legacy, his voice immortalized in the numerous characters he brought to life. His contribution to the film industry, both as an actor and a voice artist, will continue to resonate with audiences and inspire future generations of voice actors.

 

DANNEBERG, Thomas

Born: 6/2/1942, Berlin, Germany

Died: 9/30/2023, Wannsee, Berlin, Germany

 

Thomas Danneberg’s westerns – voice actor:

Drums Along the Mohawk – 1940 [German voice of Ward Bond]

The Virginian – 1946 [German voice of Joel McCrae]

Gunsmoke (TV) 1955-1975 [German voice of Buck Taylor, David Soul, Robert Sorrells, Dack

     Rambo, Nick Nolte, Eddie Little Sky

Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (TV) 1955-1957 [German voice of Robert Whiteside, George

     Mather

Wanted Dead or Alive (TV) – 1958-1961 [German voice of Ed Kemmer, Skip Homeier, John

     Hackett, Lee Farr, Anthony Caruso, Fred Beir

Bonanza (TV) 1959-1973 [German voice of Gregory Walcott, Bill Hart, Ron Foster, Steve

     Forrest, John Ericson, James Davis, Christopher Connelly, James Beck

The Virginian (TV) – 1962-1971 [German voice of William Smith, William Shatner, Paul

     Richards, Robert Redford, Joe Maross, Bradfor Dillman

Frontier Hellcat – 1964 [German voice of Mirko Kraljev]

The Desperado Trail – 1965 [German voice of Ivan Novak]

Duel at Sundown – 1965 [German voice of Terence Hill]

The Reward – 1965 [German voice of Nino Castelnuovo]

Shenandoah – 1965 [German voice of Doug McClure]

The Tramplers – 1965 [German voice of Franco Nero]

The Hellbenders – 1966 [German voice of Julian Mateos]

Kill or Be Killed – 1966 [German voice of Fabrizio Maroni]

The Rare Breed – 1966 [German voice of Don Galloway]

The Shooting – 1966 [German voice of Will Hutchins]

Stagecoach – 1966 [German voice of Ne Wynn]

The Ugly Ones – 1966 [German voice of Tomas Milian]

Winnetou and Old Firehand – 1966 [German voice of Pierre Brice]

For a Few Bullets More – 1967 [German voice of Peter Lee Lawrence]

Gentleman Killer – 1967 [German voice of Joaquin Blanco]

The Guns of Will Sonnett (TV) 1967-1969 [German voice of Dack Rambo]

The High Chaparral (TV) 1967-1971 [German voice of Mayf Nutter]

Kill and Pray – 1967 [German voice of Lou Castel]

A Man, a Colt – 1967 [German voice of Diego henchman]

The Man from Canyon City – 1967 [German voice of Antonio Almoros]

My Name is Pecos – 1967 [German voice of Carlo Gaddi]

Ace High – 1968 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Blue – 1968 [German voice of Anthony Costello]

Day of Anger – 1968 [German voice of Giuliano Gemma]

God Forgives… I Don’t – 1968 [German voice of Terence Hill]

If You Want to Live… Shoot! – 1968 [German voice of poker player]

Stranger in Paso Bravo – 1968 [German voice of Anthony Steffen]

To Hell and Back – 1968 [German voice of George Hilton]

Viva Django – 1968 [German voice of Terence Hill]

The Wild and the Dirty – 1968 [German additional voice]

Boot Hill – 1969 [German voice of Terence Hill]

True Grit – 1969 [German voice of Glen Campbell]

The Unholy Four – 1969 [German voice of Leonard Mann]

Young Bily Young – 1969 [German voice of David Carradine]

Barquero – 1970 [German voice of Richard Lapp]

Chisum – 1970 [German voice of Christopher Mitchum]

Doc – 1970 [German voice of Denver John Collins]

El Topo – 1970 [German voice of Juan José Gurrola]

Have a Good Funeral – 1970 [German voice of killer #2]

Little Big Man – 1970 [German voice of Ben Cooper]

Monte Walsh – 1970 [German voice of Bo Hopkins]

Rio Lobo – 1970 [German voice of Christopher Mitchum]

Santana Kills Them All – 1970 [German voice of Alvaro de Luna]

Big Jake – 1971 [German voice of Christopher Mitchum]

Catlow – 1971 [German voice of Michale Delano]

Companeros – 1971 [German voice Franco Nero]

His Name was Pot They Called Him Joy – 1971 [German voice of Peter Martell]

Lawman – 1971 [German voice of Richad Jordan]

Support Your Local Gunfighter – 1971 [German voice of Ben Cooper]

Valdez is Coming – 1971 [German voice of Richard Jordan]

Wild Rovers – 1971 [German voice Ryan O’Neal]

Yuma – 1971 [German voice of Bruce Glover]

Call of the Wild – 1972 [German voice of Horst Heuck]

Pancho Villa – 1972 [German voice of Angel del Pozo]

Tedeum – 1972 [German voice of Giancarlo Prete]

They Call Me Providence – 1972 [German voice of Horst Janson]

Trinity is STILL My Name – 1972 [German voice of Terence Hill]

My Name is Nobody – 1973 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Westworld – 1973 [German voice of Richard Benjamin]

The Crazy Bunch – 1974 [German voice of George Hilton]

White Fang to the Rescue – 1974 [German voice of Maurizio Merli]

The Genius – 1975 [German voice of Giuliano Gemma]

The Last Day – 1975 [German voice of Christopher Connelly]

The White, the Yellow, the Black – 1975 [Giuliano Gemma]

Spaghetti Western – 1976 [German voice of Franco Nero]

Frisco Kid – 1979 [German voice of Harrison Ford]

Villain – 1979 [German voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger]

Garden of Venus – 1981 [German voice of Jorge Rivero]

Django Strikes Again – 1987 [German voice of Franco Nero]

They Call Me Renegade – 1987 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Lucky Luke – 1990 German voice of Terence Hill]

White Fang – 1991 [German voice of James Remer]

Adventures of Huck Finn – 1993 [German voice of Courtney B. Vance]

The Gambler (TV) – 1993 [German voice of Bruce Boxleitner]

Troublemakers – 1994 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Wyatt Earp – 1994 [German voice of Dennis Quaid]

Call of the Wild – 1997 [German voice of Rutger Hauer]

Purgatory (TV) – 1999 [German voice of Randy Quaid]

The Alamo – 2004 [German voice of Dennis Quaid]

Doc West – 2008 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Triggerman – 2008 [German voice of Terence Hill]

Django Unchained – 2012 [German voice of James Remar]