German 'TV Dinosaur' Fuchsberger dies

Joachim Fuchsberger died at his home near Munich, his wife told the German news agency dpa on Thursday. "His organs just weren't up to it anymore," she said.

Over the past few weeks, Fuchsberger, who had referred to himself as a "TV dinosaur" on his 80th birthday, had been in and out of hospital.

He made a name for himself in films like "The Dead Eyes of London" and "08/15."

He also moderated the talk show "Heut' abend" (tonight) and a quiz show on the public broadcaster ARD called "Auf Los geht's los" (go on go!)

Before his TV career, Fuchsperger, who was born in Stuttgart in 1927, did some industrial work and worked as a miner in Recklinghausen. It is assumed that's where he got his nickname, Blacky.

It wasn't until the 1950s that he joined the arts scene, where he became active as an MC, poet, actor and moderator for the news magazine Wochenschau (weekly review). He had roles in over 60 films.

In 1972, he was the stadium announcer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Munich Olympic Games. In 1984, he became the German ambassador for UNICEF, becoming the first German ambassador for UNICEF.

Despite undergoing a number of heart surgeries, he continued to make stage appearances. In 2001 he toured with the German stage play "Der Priestermacher" (the priest-maker) throughout the country.

sb/shs (dpa, epd)