Frank Elstner

Elstner comes from a theater family and came into contact with the world of stage and show business at an early age through his parents, both actors. Elstner began his own career at the age of ten. Südwestfunk gave him the lead role in a radio adaptation of Walt Disney's "Bambi". In the years that followed, the young talent became one of the busiest radio children in the Federal Republic. Elstner also took acting lessons throughout high school. He left school in Rastatt after the 13th grade without a high school diploma and accepted an engagement at the Karlsruhe Chamber Theater under the stage name Christian Kort. At the same time, he volunteered as a journalist for the "Badische Neuesten Nachrichten". At the age of 21, Elstner went to Radio Luxembourg, where after just one year he became the most popular presenter on RTL's "Fröhliche Welle".

Now a two-year rise began: in 1966 he became the station's chief spokesman, in 1968 assistant director, in 1970 deputy program director, and in 1972 director of the German RTL program. In the meantime, he had also made a name for himself on television: Elstner appeared in the TV films "Grundgesetz" and "Funmaker", moderated the television lottery and the game shows "Dot, Dot, Comma, Dash" and "Game without Limits". His breakthrough came in 1974 with the show "Montagsmaler". From 1981 to 1987, Elstner hosted the entertainment program "Wetten Dass...?", which he created himself, on ZDF and which became the most successful and popular show on German television.

From 1982 to 1987 he was also seen on ZDF with the annual review "People", invited viewers to a flying visit to Las Vegas and Tokyo in 1983, led the discussion group "We introduce ourselves" and moderated his show "Nase" from 1988 to 1990 front". Elstner founded Frank Elstner Productions in his adopted home of Luxembourg in 1982. The Nobel Prize-winning series "The Silent Stars" has been created here since 1985. He also designed the programs "Stadt, Land, Fluss", "Koffer-Hoffer" and "First Love" for Tele 5 as well as "Mann-o-Mann" for Sat. 1. In 1993 Elstner returned to his former house station. For RTL he developed the format "Aber Hallo - The Frank Elstner Show", from October 1994 he presented the daily game and knowledge program "Jeopardy" and from 1995 to mid-1997 the television programs "April, April" and "April, April Extra". ".

From 2000, Elstner accompanied the talk show "People of the Week" from the old power plant in Baden-Baden. As part of this program, the talk show host had intensive one-on-one conversations with his guests, who were characterized by their private nature. Another regular SWR production includes "Do you understand fun?" On January 29, 2005, ARD showed the premiere of "Simply Millionaire", the show about the big ARD television lottery. With the television gala "A Matter of Honor - The Big Gala for Volunteering", he is hosting an awards ceremony for civically committed people for the third time since 2001. He was also involved as a presenter on the Felix Burda Foundation's "Stars with Courage" program for the early detection of colon cancer. From September 12, 2006, he will present the new quiz show "The Best in the Southwest" on Südwest television.

Elstner also moderates "The Great Show of Natural Wonders" for ARD together with science presenter Ranga Yogeshwar. By the end of 2007, six shows had been shown. On May 25, 2007, Elstner was awarded the Honorary Bavarian Television Prize by the Bavarian Prime Minister for his life's work. In 2009 he presented the "Golden Camera" awards ceremony at a press conference. In the run-up to his 75th birthday, ARD honored him on April 8, 2017 with the evening show "Top, the bet is valid!". At the beginning of 2019, Elstner made his Parkinson's disease public. On November 21, 2019, he was awarded the Bambi for his life's work in Baden-Baden.

Frank Elstner is married and has five children. His son Thomas also began a career as a presenter at ARD.