Human Centipede actor Dieter Laser has died aged 78, it has been revealed.
The German actor, who played the villainous Dr Heiter in the first and third instalment of the controversial horror franchise, died on 29 February 2020.
Director Tom Six only just learned the news, which was announced on the actor’s social media pages.
He wrote: “I’m totally shocked Dieter passed away. He was a force of nature, a unique human being and an iconic actor. I’m so damn proud we created pop culture together.”
Six continued: “Wished we could have made many more movies. RIP my friend, you will live forever on screen!”
The 2009 film follows a deranged surgeon who kidnaps three tourists and joins them together surgically from mouth to anus.
The grotesque material earned the film a cult following and, although critical reviews were negative, Laser’s performance was highlighted by some as a positive.
Away from The Human Centipede, Laser’s most famous role was in 1975’s John Glückstadt, which saw him win a German Film Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
His other credits include Don Quixote’s Children (1981), The Elixirs of the Devil (1976) and The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum (1975).
Most recently, Laser appeared in horror film November (2017).
