His debut novel, Die Brücke ("The Bridge"), was turned into a Golden Globe Award-winning film of the same name.
The second, Das Urteil (The Verdict), is best known in the United States where it was made into the movie Town Without Pity starring Kirk Douglas and featuring an Academy Award-nominated song of the same name performed by Gene Pitney.
Born in Tailfingen, today part of Albstadt, Gregor Dorfmeister grew up in Bad Tölz, where he attended high school.
In the spring of 1945 at age 16, he was a member of the Volkssturm in his home region and participated in defending two bridges against advancing American tanks.
Dorfmeister, who in addition to his journalistic work has been committed to the support for disabled people, lived in retirement in Bad Tölz.