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'The Human Centipede' Star Dieter Laser Dead at 78

Apr 11, 2020

04:43 P.M.

Dieter Laser, a German film veteran, known for his role as Dr. Heiter in 2009's "The Human Centipede (First sequence)," has recently passed away.

The actor drew his last breath at the age of 78 and the heartbreaking news was shared by Inge Laser, who confirmed that her husband died in Berlin.

Dieter Laser arriving at the "The Human Centepede 3 (Final Sequence)" Los Angeles Premiere at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, California | Photo: Jennifer Lourie/WireImage

HE WENT AGAINST HIS FAITH

Born in Kiel, Germany, in 1942, Laser reportedly grew up in a fundamentalist Christian household where he was only allowed to read the Bible.

His family's faith had so much influence on him that be believed he had made a pact with the devil upon becoming an actor, claiming that he would pay for it "in hell."

Dieter Laser on stage during the media rehearsal of the play "Der Prozess" at the 69th Bad Hersfeld Festival | Photo: Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images

DEFINED BY A SINGLE ROLE

Although Laser has appeared in over 60 movies and television shows, such as "Peer Gynt," "The Orge" and "Meeting Venus," his role as the evil doctor will forever be his most famous one.

According to Roger Ebert, the late 78-year-old was born to play the deranged surgeon who kidnaps three tourists and performs a heinous surgery that connects them together.

"He was a force of nature, a unique human being and an iconic actor."

The film was not a blockbuster but it became a pop culture phenomenon due to how controversial it was, leading reports to wonder whether the movie "should be reviewed by a critic or a therapist."

"The Human Centipede" actor Dieter Laser speaking at the 69th Bad Hersfeld Theatre Festival at the start of rehearsals | Photo: Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images

Laser's performance as Dr. Heiter earned him a nomination for best villain at horror film honors the Screen Awards and best actor honor at the Austin Fantastic Fest.

In 2015, Laser returned as Bill Boss in the franchise's final movie, "The Human Centipede III (Final Sequence), which focuses on the creation of a 500-person centipede.

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FONDLY REMEMBERED

Tom Six, the Dutch filmmaker behind the "The Human Centipede" franchise, was shocked to learn of Laser's passing but shared that he was proud of what they created together. He said:

"He was a force of nature, a unique human being and an iconic actor. I’m so damn proud we created pop culture together. Wished we could have made many more movies. RIP my friend, you will live forever on screen!"

Throughout his career, Laser had the opportunity to star alongside some of the most iconic faces in the film industry such as Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Bruno Ganz.